EARLY MORNING SHOOTING

On Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 4:40 am, Officers with the Corpus Christi Police Department were dispatched to a local hospital in reference to two individuals (18 year old male and 21 year old male) who walked into the hospital with gunshot wounds. Both victims are currently stable.

Preliminary investigation shows that a group of individuals, belonging to different car clubs, were gathered on the 100 block of Shoreline Blvd. when for unknown reasons, individuals began shooting at each other.

The safety and well being of our community remain our top priority. Incidents of this nature are taken very seriously and will be thoroughly investigated.

This scene is still actively working and anyone with information is asked to please call Corpus Christi Police Department Detectives at 361-886-2840. If you would like to remain anonymous, you may contact Crime Stoppers at 361-888-TIPS (8477) or submit the information online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=.

ANOTHER ONE!

On May 18, 2025, at about 2:30 am CCPD Violent Crimes Traffic unit observed an SUV traveling over 105 mph in the 4000 block of HWY 358 east bound. The vehicle changed lanes abruptly cutting off other motorists on the highway.

The SUV exited the highway, and officers were able to conduct a traffic stop near SPID and Airline Rd. The driver was then taken into custody.

42-year-old Ruben Contreras was arrested for reckless driving due to his disregard for the safety of other motorists. His vehicle was also impounded.

Contreras was transported to the City Detention Center for booking.

STOLEN VEHICLE ARREST

On May 16, 2025, at 12:57 am, Officers with the Corpus Christi Police Department were dispatched to a call in reference to an individual following his vehicle that had just been stolen.  The victim stated that he went to an ATM to make a transaction.  The victim exited his vehicle, but left the engine running.  While making the transaction, a female entered his vehicle and drove away.  A witness who observed the incident, assisted the victim in following the vehicle. 

Officers located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle, to which the driver refused to stop.  The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) assisted in stopping the SUV which ultimately came to a stop on the 1800 block of South Padre Island Drive.

33-year-old Shereka Phifer was medically cleared at a local hospital, and arrested and charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle (UUMV).

NVID DETECTIVES RAID TWO MORE ILLEGAL GAMBLING ESTABLISHMENTS

Detectives from the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division continued to put pressure on illicit gambling operations this week, serving three search warrants related to two separate illegal gambling establishments within the city limits. On Wednesday afternoon, NVID Detectives raided an unnamed game room on the 5200 block of Everhart Road. During the search, Detectives found and seized sixty items of illegal gambling equipment. Employee Yolanda Garcia, age 54, was arrested and charged with violation of the Nueces County Game Room Ordinance, Keeping a Gambling Place, Gambling Promotion, and Possession of a Gambling Device.

On Thursday afternoon NVID Detectives served a search warrant at a residence on the 3400 block of Pineda Street. There, Detectives found and seized several documents and electronic devices suspected to contain records from an illegal gambling operation. Detectives also seized over $3100 in US currency and arrested Yi Han, age 32, for violation of the Nueces County Game Room Ordinance, Keeping a Gambling Place, Gambling Promotion, and Possession of a Gambling Device. A subsequent search warrant at the Lucky Treasures Game Room in the 11100 block of Leopard Street resulted in the seizure of 54 items of illegal gambling equipment. Neither of the two game rooms were open for business at the time the search warrants were served, so no patrons were cited for gambling.

The two operations were the result of intensive, multi-month-long investigations into the businesses that uncovered evidence of illegal gambling. The two businesses do not appear to be connected, but the investigation continues into each, and additional charges and arrests are possible.

The Corpus Christi Police Department reminds citizens that game rooms which pay out cash rewards, or rewards that can be immediately redeemed for cash are engaging in illegal gambling. Patrons as well as the management of these establishments face criminal charges.

The Corpus Christi Police Department continues to collaborate with our local, state, and federal partners to investigate and combat illegal gambling. Investigators will continue to enforce all Texas gambling laws, which will help accomplish our mission to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and to improve the quality of life in our community.

GUNS IN THE WRONG HANDS: A DANGER TO OUR COMMUNITY

Since January 2025, the Corpus Christi Auto Theft Task Force has reported 64 stolen firearms — a lot of them taken directly from unlocked vehicles.

These aren’t just property crimes. Each stolen firearm represents a potential threat to innocent lives, to law enforcement, and to the safety of our entire community.

We’re releasing this short video to raise awareness and ask for your help.

If you are a firearm owner:
Lock your vehicle every time
Do not leave firearms unattended in your car
Use secure storage whenever possible

Gun ownership comes with responsibility. Let’s work together to keep our streets safe and reduce the number of stolen firearms fueling violent crime.

Watch the PSA and share the message.

#CorpusChristiATTF#GunSafety#SecureYourFirearm#IfYouLikeItLockIt#CCPD#StolenGunsAreDeadly

TWO ARRESTS MADE IN OVERNIGHT HOMICIDE

On Sunday, May 11, 2025, at 12:33am, officers were dispatched to the 4800 block of Cheryl Drive in reference to a shooting.

Officers arrived and located a 37-year-old male deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.

Homicide Detectives arrived and conducted their investigation. They found that a verbal argument occurred between a group of males. One of the males produced a handgun and a fight ensued over the gun. During the fight, the victim was shot.

17-year-old Michael Gonzalez and 17-year-old John Salazar were ultimately arrested for murder and transported to the City Detention Center for booking.

This is an active and ongoing investigation. If you have any information regarding this shooting, you are encouraged to contact detectives at 361-886-2840. If you want to provide information and remain anonymous, submit a tip with Crime Stoppers at 361-888-TIPS.

Michael Gonzalez
John Salazar

OVERNIGHT HOMICIDE 4800 CHERYL DRIVE

On Sunday, May 11, 2025, at 12:33am, officers were dispatched to the 4800 block of Cheryl Drive in reference to a shooting.

Officers arrived and located an adult male in his 30’s deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.

Homicide Detectives are on scene beginning their investigation. Preliminary information is an argument occurred between two males and the victim was shot.

Officers have detained numerous subjects as part of their investigation.

This is an active and ongoing investigation. If you have any information regarding this shooting, you are encouraged to contact detectives at 361-886-2840. If you want to provide information and remain anonymous, submit a tip with Crime Stoppers at 361-888-TIPS.

UNLUCKY WEEK FOR ILLEGAL GAMBLING AS NVID BUSTS TWO SOUTHSIDE GAME ROOMS

Detectives with the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division were kept busy this week, serving separate search warrants on two illegal gambling establishments on the city’s south side. On Wednesday evening, NVID Detectives raided the Lucky Spot Game Room on the 4100 block of Weber Road. During the search, Detectives found and seized thirteen items of illegal gambling equipment and over $6500 in US currency. Employee Amanda Lozano, age 32, was arrested and charged with violation of the Nueces County Game Room Ordinance, Keeping a Gambling Place, Gambling Promotion, Possession of a Gambling Device and Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity.

On Thursday afternoon NVID Detectives served a search warrant at the Lucky Panda Game Room on the 5200 block of Ayers Street. Fifty-two adult patrons found inside the business were cited for Gambling (Class C misdemeanor) and released. During the search, Detectives found and seized 145 illegal gaming components and over $26,000 in US Currency. The following four employees were all arrested and charged with violation of the Nueces County Game Room Ordinance, Keeping a Gambling Place, Gambling Promotion, Possession of a Gambling Device and Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity: Adan Guerra Sr., 42, Samantha Davila, 29, John Casarez De la Rosa, 27, and Dana Villafranco, 29.

Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity is a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in jail and a maximum $10,000 fine, while the other four charges are class A misdemeanors.

The two operations were the result of an intensive, months-long investigation into the businesses that uncovered evidence of illegal gambling. The two businesses do not appear to be connected, but the investigation continues into each and additional charges and arrests are likely.

The Corpus Christi Police Department reminds citizens that game rooms which pay out cash rewards, or rewards that can be immediately redeemed for cash are engaging in illegal gambling. Patrons as well as the management of these establishments face criminal charges.

NVID Detectives were assisted in these operations by officers with the CCPD Operations Division, Directed Patrol Unit and Traffic Section.

The Corpus Christi Police Department continues to collaborate with our local, state, and federal partners to investigate and combat illegal gambling. Investigators will continue to enforce all Texas gambling laws, which will help accomplish our mission to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and to improve the quality of life in our community.

UPDATE: HOMICIDE 4900 CAIN DRIVE

UPDATE: The detained individual was Identified as Adam Salazar.

Salazar was ultimately arrested and charged with Murder.  

ORIGINAL: On Monday, May 5, 2025, at 9:33pm, officers were dispatched to the 4900 block of Cain Drive in reference to a shooting with injuries.

Officers arrived and located a 45-year-old male victim suffering from a gunshot wound and immediately provided medical aid until medics arrived. Medics transported the male to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

A 41-year-old male has been detained as part of the investigation. Officers have advised this incident is involving family violence and there is no threat to the public.

This is an active and ongoing investigation.

SPREAD THE WORD, TELL A FRIEND, SAVE A LIFE, ARRESTS CONTINUE

The Corpus Christi Police Department Violent Crimes Unit Traffic Section continue arrests.

20-year-old Pedro Vaughn was arrested overnight for reckless driving, when he was observed doing burnouts and donuts in the 300 block of S. Shoreline.

VAUGHN

33-year-old Clayton Randal was arrested for reckless driving when he was observed traveling over 100 mph on HWY 358 on his motorcycle.

RANDAL

31-year-old Joel Villa was arrested for reckless driving, when he was observed traveling over 85 mph in a 45-mph area in the 5200 block of SPID.  

VILLA

Corpus Christi Police Daily Blotter