Category Archives: Patrol Division

Adam District, Patrol Division, Traffic Safety Division

Corpus Christi Participates In Mock Contraflow Exercise

The Corpus Christi Police Department will participate with the Texas Department of Public Safety in an exercise Thursday to practice the state Contraflow hurricane evacuation plan along Interstate 37 between Corpus Christi and San Antonio.

The Texas Department of Transportation has partnered with the law enforcement agencies to conduct a mock Contraflow exercise to prepare for hurricane season. The Contraflow plan is that southbound lanes of Interstate Highway 37 would be reversed to carry two lanes of traffic northbound from Corpus Christi to San Antonio to help move people from Corpus Christi to San Antonio out of harm’s way during a large scale evacuation.

Transportation and law enforcement agencies will stage barricades for the mock exercise at the entrance and exit ramps along Interstate 37 in Nueces, San Patricio, Live Oak, Atascosa, and Bexar counties. The exercise is expected to begin at 8:00am and end around noon. Texas Department of Public Safety troopers will drive south to perform mock flushing of southbound traffic to clear Interstate 37 for contraflow traffic. Law enforcement is assigned to direct motorists to keep traffic flow moving. TxDOT and D.P.S. do not anticipate any disruption of traffic during the exercise.

All participants will meet at the TxDOT Corpus Christi District Office Thursday afternoon for a post-exercise review.

Contraflow will be considered only when the Corpus Christi area is threatened by a major hurricane and mandatory evacuations are issued. A decision to reverse I-37 will be made by local authorities working with the District Disaster Chairman (i.e., DPS) based on the strength of the storm and projected landfall.

The 2012 hurricane season will begin June 1 and extends to November 30. The public may view the contraflow brochures on the Texas Department of Transportation website at www.txdot.gov.

Bravo District, Patrol Division

Patrol Officer Swims To Save Kayaker In Distress

Occurred Tuesday, May 15, 2012, 11:20 am, Open Water Rescue Event #1205019456

A 20 year old man was rescued at the beach Tuesday by Corpus Christi Police Officer John Shultz.

A 20 year old man went out in the water on a kayak and was knocked off the kayak by a wave. The 20 year old man was unable to get back into the kayak. The man’s brother was on shore at Beach Marker 99 near access road 2 and called for help.

Patrol Officer John Shultz put on his life vest and entered the water to provide help. Officer Shultz said the 20 year old man was fatigued and unable to get on the kayak without help. Officer Shultz said he held the kayak stable while the man got on the kayak. Officer Shultz said he held on to the kayak while the man paddled them both to shore. Officer Shultz and the man made it back to shore at about 12:07pm.

Charlie District, Patrol Division

Man Arrested For Leaving 65 Year Old Woman Padlocked In A House

Occurred Sunday, May 13, 2012, 8:40am 4641 Abner, Unlawful Restraint 1205130051

A 64-year-old man was arrested Sunday after he locked a 65-year-old woman recovering from surgery inside her home which did not allow the woman to leave or anyone else to enter.

A 41-year-old woman went to the 65-year-old woman’s house to give a Mother’s Day blessing. The 41-year-old woman called Corpus Christi Police when the 65-year-old woman was found on the floor behind a door with a padlock on the exterior of the door.

Police called for an ambulance and 64-year-old Robert Peters (12/23/1947) arrived to unlock the padlock and provide access to the 65-year-old woman. The woman was taken by ambulance to the hospital for treatment.

Peters was arrested for Unlawful Restraint-Exposing a Person to Serious Bodily Injury, a 3rd degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

Anyone interested to research reported crime in Corpus Christi is encouraged to search Crimereports.com for valuable information. The site is updated daily and includes an option to communicate with police about criminal activity.

Bravo District, Community Outreach, Patrol Division

Police Reach Out For Crime Prevention

Corpus Christi Police Officers under the direction of Police Captain Tim Wilson were at the Sunrise Mall Saturday, May 12, to distribute crime prevention information in anticipation of school dismissal for the summer.

Captain Wilson is responsible for the Bravo District of the Corpus Christi Police Department which is the east portion of the city that includes Padre Island, Flour Bluff, and the area of town between Staples Street and the Oso Bay. Captain Wilson said a crime trend that has his focus are burglaries to residences and to vehicles.

Captain Wilson said 25% of all residential burglaries are through unlocked or open doors. This is often when a homeowner conducts yard work and leaves the garage door open. Captain Wilson suggests to lock windows and doors and keep the garage door closed.

Captain Wilson also recommends that valuables not be left in boats overnight which accounts for many thefts in the Bravo District. Another recommendation is that valuables not be left in a car. Captain Wilson said, “If you plan on leaving your purse in the trunk, take what you need from it and place it in the trunk before leaving home.”

Captain Wilson said Police have discovered thieves watch for valuables in the trunk. Some models of vehicles have an active trunk release when the key is not in the ignition. Everyone is encouraged to evaluate their vehicle for this function and beware that a thief can easily break into the passenger compartment of the car and have access to the trunk.

Captain Wilson identified the majority of the burglaries are committed overnight by juvenile males. The Corpus Christi Police will increase strict enforcement of the city ordinance (CC33-40) that prohibits juveniles age 16 and younger to be in a public place from 11:00pm to 6:00am unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian. Captain Wilson expressed the importance to observe the night-time curfew.

Captain Wilson promoted Crimereports.com which is a public site that provides a variety of information to include all reported crime in Corpus Christi. The information is updated daily and Captain Wilson said, “Stay informed and beat the criminals!”

Charlie District, Patrol Division

Man With Warrant For Arrest Caught Looking In Cars

Occurred Monday, May 14, 2012, 12:30pm, Aberdeen Ave./Santa Fe St. Evading Arrest 1205140079

A 27-year-old man was arrested Monday afternoon after a brief chase from Corpus Christi Police in the area of Aberdeen Avenue and Santa Fe Street.

Corpus Christi Police were called to check a suspicious man who wore a black shirt and white shorts with tattoos on his face and arms because the man went through the parking lot of an apartment complex looking into vehicles. The man saw Corpus Christi Police Officers and ran until he was captured at the 300 block of Dolphin Place.

The man refused to identify himself to the police officers. The man was taken to the city detention center where he was identified as 27-year-old Pedro Perez (3/13/1985). Officers discovered Perez had an active warrant for his arrest; so, Perez was arrested for Evading Arrest or Detention, the warrant for arrest, and Fail to Identify as a Fugitive.

The Evading Arrest charge is a State Jail Felony (an enhanced charge) punishable by up to two years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. The Fail to Identify charge is a Class A misdemeanor charge punishable by up to 1 year in jail and up to a $4,000 fine.

Charlie District, Patrol Division, Traffic Safety Division

Woman Fatally Injured In Parking Lot Crash

Occurred Sunday, May 13, 2012, 9:30am, 1821 S. Padre Island Dr. vehicle crash C1203685

A 45-year-old woman was fatally injured after she fell out of a vehicle Sunday morning in a shopping center parking lot at the 1800 block of South Padre Island Drive.

A 46-year-old man drove a blue 1978 Chevy van with the 45-year-old woman inside. The 45-year-old woman fell out of the vehicle and was run over by the same van from which she was a passenger. An ambulance rushed the 45-year-old woman to the hospital; but, the woman did not survive the injuries.

Corpus Christi Police Crash investigators took the van to the city impound and the 46-year-old man was questioned by investigators.

No arrests or formal charges have been applied and the investigation is not complete. Investigators continue to gather evidence and information about this event.

Corpus Christi Police urge safe practices such as the use of seatbelts and avoidance of distracted driving to reduce the risk of injury.

Criminal Investigations Division, Delta District, Patrol Division

Man Shot On Hancock Ave

Occurred Sunday, May 13, 2012, 11:00am, 800 Hancock Ave, Aggravated Assault 1205130064

A 30-year-old man was rushed to the hospital Sunday after he was shot by a gun in an apartment at the 800 block of Hancock Avenue.

Corpus Christi Police responded to the shooting call at 11:00am Sunday and the 30-year-old man was directly taken to the hospital for treatment. Patrol officers gathered witnesses and evidence and are confident there is no danger to the public. All persons of interest were identified and in contact with police investigators. Several individuals were taken to the Police Department main building for interviews.

Police detectives are in the initial stages of the investigation and are saddened by the tragedy. Updates of the 30-year-old man’s condition were that he did not survive the injuries.

Corpus Christi Police Investigators arrested 25 year old Chastity Longbine (3/31/1987) in connection to this shooting. Lonbine was charged with murder and delivered to the city detention center.

Anyone interested to research reported crime in Corpus Christi is encouraged to search Crimereports.com. Call police if there is any unusual activity. Know your neighbors and become involved in community service such as Crime Watch organizations. Cooperation is fundamental to reduce crime in our community.

Adam District, Criminal Investigations Division, Patrol Division

Man Finds Stabbed Person On Way To Work

Occurred Saturday, May 12, 2012, 6:00am, IH 37 at Omaha, Aggravated Assault 1205120041

A 24-year-old man was stabbed Saturday morning after he was found on the access road of Interstate Highway 37 at North Omaha Drive.

A 37-year-old man was on his way to work when he saw a 24-year-old man in distress. The 37-year-old man stopped and discovered the 24-year-old man had been stabbed and needed medical attention. The 37-year-old man called for an ambulance and police.

The 24-year-old man was taken directly to the hospital for treatment. Corpus Christi Police searched for a man who wore a black t-shirt, black shorts and bare feet that was seen by witnesses to have run from the crime scene.

Anyone interested to research reported crime in Corpus Christi is encouraged to search Crimereports.com. Anyone with additional information about this crime should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or log on to www.888TIPS.com. The information provided could earn the caller a cash reward.

Bravo District, Patrol Division

Wanted Man Found When Windows Were Left Open In The Rain

Occurred Friday, May 11, 2012, 4:40am, 15800 South Padre Island Drive, Unauthorized use of a Motor Vehicle, 1205110021

Three men were arrested Friday morning in a stolen vehicle at Padre Bali Park when a Corpus Christi Police Officer on patrol saw the vehicle windows down in the rain.

Corpus Christi Patrol officer Jon McGinley saw a white 2002 Chevy truck parked at the Padre Bali Park with the windows down while rain fell. Officer McGinley discovered the truck was reported stolen from McCamey, Texas. Three men inside the truck were contacted and two were found to have warrants for their arrest. 30-year-old Arturo Sanchez (8/5/1981) was apprehended for two warrants for his arrest. 47-year-old David Meyer (7/17/1964) was arrested for a warrant for a parole violation. 46-year-old John Jordon (3/6/1966) was arrested for public intoxication.

The vehicle was taken to the city impound lot and the three men were delivered to the city detention center. Anyone interested to research reported crime in Corpus Christi is encouraged to search Crimereports.com for valuable information.

Community Outreach, Patrol Division

70th Corpus Christi Police Academy Session Graduates

The Corpus Christi Police Department will have 18 graduates from the 70th Police Academy session celebrated in a graduation ceremony on Friday, May 11, 2012 at 2:00pm in the Selena Auditorium.

The graduates from the academy accepted a tremendous responsibility of police work which began with an application process almost one year prior to this graduation. Applicants for the police academy must score a minimum of 70% or higher on a written examination. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license upon filing an application and a valid Texas license before hiring and must have a driving record that reflects driving habits that are consistent with the safe operation of a motor vehicle. Applicants must meet the City requirements regarding traffic violations or traffic collisions. Applicants must have a High School diploma or a GED with 12 hours at an accredited college with at least a 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale, or an honorable discharge from the armed forces of the United States, after at least 24 months of active duty service. Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen. Their vision must be at least 20/100 in each eye correctable to 20/40 and normal color and peripheral vision. Possess hearing with less than a 40-decibel loss in each ear. Applicants must never have been convicted of an offense above the grade of a Class B misdemeanor or been on court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade B misdemeanor, or a Class B misdemeanor within the last 10 years from the date of court order. Applicants must not currently or recently used illegal drugs or currently or recently used intoxicating beverages excessively. Applicants must not make any false statements of fact; be deceptive by statement or omission in the pre-screening application, interview, background investigation, and polygraph or by any means in any part of the selection process.

Each applicant must then complete an entrance process that includes a background check, a polygraph examination, an oral board interview, a psychological evaluation, a complete physical examination by a physician, and then a drug screen. Not all qualified applicants are accepted into the Police Academy. Most are not selected because of the limited quantity of positions approved for hire. Each Academy session has a unique quantity of cadets approved by the city of Corpus Christi based on the unique circumstances each hiring session.

The most qualified applicants selected to be cadets then begin their career in the Corpus Christi Police Academy. The Corpus Christi Police Department Training Academy is located at 4510 Corona Dr. Cadets attend classes Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. However, some nighttime and weekend functions are a part of the required curriculum. Cadets do not reside at the academy and must commute to class daily.

The Police Academy is composed of several components primarily with classroom instruction. Cadets are instructed on the policies and procedures of the Corpus Christi Police Department and how officers function on duty. Classroom instruction on, criminal, juvenile, traffic, and civil law is provided during the 27-week academy. Cadets are expected to maintain a high level of academic standards and must make a 75% or above on all academy tests. Cadets must pass each written exam and/or skills test administered to successfully complete the academy. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education (T.C.L.E.O.S.E.) Basic Peace Officer’s licensing exam must be passed in order to qualify for graduation and state licensing as a Texas Peace Officer.

A second component of the training includes firearm instruction. Cadets are trained with the standard issued police weapon at the Corpus Christi Police Department firing range and must pass department qualifications to successfully complete the academy. Cadets are also trained to use a shotgun and other law enforcement tools.

Another component of the academy is physical training. Cadets are required to maintain themselves in excellent physical condition through a strict course of running, weight lifting, and exercises designed to enhance the body’s flexibility and endurance. Cadets must pass the academy physical fitness test with an overall average of 70% to successfully complete the academy.

The cadets that graduate on May 11 have successfully completed the 27 week Academy program that has equipped them with extensive education, training, and skills required to serve as Corpus Christi Police Officers. The next phase of training is the 28 week Field Training Officer Program in which new officers are assigned to work alongside selected experienced officers who facilitate the application of knowledge and skills the new officers acquired in the Training Academy.

Upon successful completion of the field training program, the officers will be assigned to serve in the Community Policing Division where they will perform various patrol duties that include answering calls for service, enforcement of laws, apprehension of violators, investigating crimes, resolution of family disturbances, as well as traffic enforcement.  After completion of 60 months of service, officers become eligible to serve in many specialized sections within the Police Department. These include the Criminal Investigation Division and Special Services Division. Officers will be assigned to investigate homicides, robberies, burglaries, thefts, organized crime, narcotics, auto theft, sexual assaults and other various other types of criminal activity.

Corpus Christi Police Officers are provided the opportunity to attend specialized schools to help meet goals and full potential. Promotional opportunities are competitive and available to all persons who wish to pursue a supervisory role.

The Corpus Christi Police Department congratulates the graduates of the 70th Corpus Christi Police Academy session. The graduates are:

Samantha Baldwin (Top Academic Award recipient); Imelda Benavides; Gilbert Cantu (Top Physical Fitness Award recipient); Jorge Coello; Alonzo DeLaGarza; Jorge Fernandez; Irene Gonzalez; Daniel Guajardo; Gabriel Gutierrez; Eric Hemping; BJ Hurley; Philip Martinez (Top Driving Award recipient); Allan Miller (Top Gun Award recipient); Sam Mitchell; Paul Navarro; Joshua Newman; Eduardo Tagle; and Jason Wicks.

The Matthew Thebeau Memorial Award was presented to Jorge Fernandez for the leadership abilities, service to the community, and keen humor displayed throughout the police academy. The Matthew Thebeau Memorial Award is in the memory of Corpus Christi Police Officer Matthew Thebeau who was killed in the line of duty in 2008. A $500 cash award accompanies the Thebeau Award for the purpose to purchase equipment the recipient may require in the capacity to serve as a patrol officer.

The Director of Training is Captain John Houston and his training staff includes:

Senior Officers Robert Chapa; Doc Ellis; Denise Pace; Travis Pace; Joseph Piedra; and Karl Wright.

The guest speaker for the graduation ceremony is the Honorable Sandra Watts, Judge 117th District Court. The Corpus Christi Police Department congratulates and recognizes the tremendous accomplishments of the 70th Corpus Christi Police Academy Class.