Detectives with the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division conducted a minor sting operation Friday evening, checking compliance at beer and wine retailers across the city. NVID targeted the twelve convenience stores that sold alcoholic beverages to underage minors during a similar operation in March.

During Friday’s operation, two cooperating individuals, under the direction and close supervision of NVID Detectives attempted to purchase alcoholic beverages from convenience stores throughout the city.  Both individuals are over the age of eighteen but under twenty-one, the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages in Texas.   Of the twelve businesses checked, clerks at four sold alcoholic beverages to the underage operatives and were subsequently arrested.  Detectives also checked a local nightclub and arrested a bartender after she sold an alcoholic beverage to one of the cooperating minors.

The four store clerks and bartender who sold the alcoholic beverages face a charge of Sale to Minors (TABC 106.3,) a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $4000.  NVID will forward the results of this operation to the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission for administrative action against the permittees, which could include revocation, suspension and/or fines.

Clerks at twelve of the twenty-two businesses checked during NVID’s March compliance operation sold alcoholic beverages to the minors. NVID sent warning letters to the management of all twelve convenience stores, informing them of the previous violations, and warning them of the consequences for continued violations.  “Hopefully this operation sends a clear message to the owners of these businesses,” said NVID Deputy Chief Todd Green.  “With high school graduation just over the horizon, we intend to do everything within our power to prevent underage consumption.”  Alcohol is a common denominator in underage traffic fatalities, and frequently leads to numerous other negative consequences.

The Corpus Christi Police Department has been working closely with TABC and the Nueces County District Attorney’s Office on these operations.  NVID will continue to collaborate with all government and private entities to combat underage drinking and help accomplish our mission of working with the community to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and enhance public safety.

An anti-prostitution operation conducted by the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division Thursday afternoon resulted in the arrests of ten women on charges of prostitution. A 34-year-old woman was charged with State Jail Felony prostitution, due to previous prostitution convictions. The remaining nine were charged with misdemeanor prostitution. The women were arrested after they solicited an undercover CCPD Officer for sex acts in exchange for money. The operation targeted several north and west side neighborhoods frequented by prostitutes.

NVID Detectives were assisted in the operation by Operations Division Crime Reduction Unit Officers, as well as civilians with the Red Cord Initiative. The Red Cord Initiative is a prostitution diversion program aimed to provide practical and emotional support for those involved in prostitution. The program is successful due to the collaboration between the Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation, social service organizations, the Nueces County District Attorney Office, and the Corpus Christi Police Department. The program affords those involved with sex work an opportunity to address the myriad of behavioral, social, and psychological problems they have faced throughout their lifetime. Since 2013, Red Cord has provided case management, health services, job training, substance abuse treatment, clothing, housing, counseling, and other social services needed to address the circumstances related to their involvement in prostitution. Participants who successfully complete the program have their cases dismissed by the District Attorney’s Office.

Four of the ten women arrested during Thursday’s operation agreed to participate and were accepted into the program, three were deemed ineligible, and three are pending. Since its inception in 2013, 222 men and women have been arrested for prostitution during these operations, 110 have qualified for the program, 69 were accepted, and 19 have graduated from the program. The Red Cord initiative receives no government funding and is supported entirely through donations. To learn more, volunteer or donate, citizens can visit the Coastal Bend Wellness foundation at www.cbwellness.org.

Although often inaccurately referred to as a “victimless” crime, prostitution is inextricably linked to multiple other crimes including assault, human trafficking, sexual abuse, drug abuse, and the spread of sexually transmitted infectious disease. Neighborhoods where prostitution is prevalent experience a drastic degradation of the quality of life that citizens expect and deserve. The Corpus Christi Police Department will continue to collaborate with all government and private entities to combat prostitution and help accomplish our mission of working with the community to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and enhance public safety.

How the scam works.

You are contacted by an individual via email, text or you find an advertisement about earning money by shrink wrapping your vehicle with an advertisement for a major company.

The suspect tells you that they will send you a check for a couple hundred dollars but when the check arrives it is for several thousand.

The suspect then tells you to deposit the full amount in your account and then wire most of the money to the company that will wrap your vehicle.

Weeks after you wire the money the check bounces and your bank tells you that it was a fake check. Now you are on the hook for the money that you wired, and you must pay back your bank.

How to keep from being a victim.

Trust your gut feeling, if it sounds too good to be true then it is.

If a company or anyone sends you more money than what you are expecting and then they ask you to wire the money back to them or to another person, it is most likely a scam.

Check the internet. You should do your research about the company or the deal that they are offering. A good place to find out about scams is the Better Business Bureau, Federal Trade Commission, or the Texas Attorney Generals Office.

BBB
https://www.bbb.org/

Federal Trade Commission
https://www.ftc.gov/

Texas Attorney General Office
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection

What to do if you are a victim.

If you are a victim be sure to contact the Corpus Christi Police Department so that a report can be generated to document the crime.

Corpus Christi Police Department
361-886-2600

You can also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission.
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/

Nueces County Sheriff’s Office is asking for your help to locate 35-year-old Gilberto Guerrero Ballesteros (09/13/1983) who has two outstanding warrants; Forgery (No Bond) and Theft ($5,000 Bond).

Ballesteros is described as a 35-year-old white male who stands 5′ 08”, weighs approximately 130 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

(Gilberto Ballesteros 09/13/83)

If you know how to locate Ballesteros, call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the information online at www.888tips.com, it can earn you a cash reward. The information you provide to Crime Stoppers is anonymous and if the information leads to an arrest, it could earn you a cash reward. You may also contact the Nueces County Sheriff’s Office at 887-2239 or 887-2219 after 5:00 pm.

Corpus Christi Police Investigators would like help from the public to locate a missing person.

Brandon Alexander Rios (06/12/00) was reported missing on May 04, 2019 and was last seen by family members on May 03, 2019.

Brandon is described as an 18-year-old male who stands 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs approximately 130 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

If you have any information that may assist Investigators or know the whereabouts of Brandon Rios, please call Corpus Christi Police Department directly by calling (361) 886-2600.

Corpus Christi Police Department Investigators need your help identifying this aggravated robbery suspect.

On May 05, 2019 a suspect entered a convenience store located on the 7100 block of Staples. The suspect displayed a weapon and was able to get away with an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 5’07-5’10, between 30-40 years of age, wearing a black baseball cap, green long sleeve shirt, black pants, brown shoes, with a mustache and eye glasses.

On May 06, 2019 a suspect matching the same description as the earlier robbery entered a convenience store located on the 5600 block of Leopard. The suspect displayed a weapon in this robbery as well and was able to get away with an undisclosed amount of money.

This male is suspected in least one other convenience store robbery.

The suspect vehicle is described as a late 90’s to early 2000’s Chevy Silverado Extended Cab with damage to the passenger side of the vehicle.

If you know who is responsible for these aggravated robberies, or have any additional information about these crimes, call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the information online at www.888tips.com. Crime Stoppers guarantees to keep your identity anonymous and if the information leads to an arrest, it could earn you a cash reward of up to $2,500.

At approximately 10:56 pm on Friday, May 3, 2019, officers were patrolling the area near Cuiper Park when they were advised of suspicious males in the area.  As one of the officers attempted to make contact with three males, one of the subjects fired upon a second responding officer striking his fully marked police unit several times.  The initial officer returned fire but the subject was able to evade on foot.  Two of the males remained on scene and were immediately detained.  A perimeter was quickly set up for the surrounding area and the third subject was located on the 4300 block of Brentwood. No injuries were sustained by anyone on scene.

A 16-year-old male was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer.  A 15-year-old male was charged with Possession of Substance in Penalty Group 2-A.  A 17-year-old male was released on scene.

Two Corpus Christi Police Officers have been placed on paid administrative leave in accordance with current department practice and policy.

Officer Michael Love has been a police officer with the Corpus Christi Police Department since July 2017.

Officer John Garza has been a police officer with the Corpus Christi Police Department since December 2015.

(Officer Michael Love)

(Officer John Garza)

This is still an active and ongoing investigation. If you have any information pertaining to this incident, you are encouraged to call the Corpus Christi Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at (361) 886-2840. Anyone who would like to keep their identity secret and still provide information to Detectives should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the tip online at www.888tips.com.

Here are some recommended routes to the 82nd Annual Buc Days Night Parade on Saturday May 4th.

Be sure to leave early and expect possible delays.

Morgan Ave. / Ocean Dr.
State Highway 286 to Morgan Ave then onto Ocean Dr.

Baldwin Blvd. / Ayers St. / Ocean Dr.
Take State Highway 286 to Baldwin Blvd then to Ayers St. then onto Ocean Dr.

Kostoryz / South Staples St. / Louisiana Ave. / Ocean Dr.
Take State Highway 358 to Kostoryz Rd. then to South Staples. Follow South Staples to Louisiana Ave then onto Ocean Dr.

Weber Rd. / Doddridge St. / Ocean Dr.
Take State Highway 358 to Weber Rd. which turns into Doddridge St. then onto Ocean Dr.

Airline Rd. / Ocean Dr.
Take State Highway 358 to Airline Rd. and then onto Ocean Dr.

Ennis Joslin Rd. / Ocean Dr.
Take State Highway 358 to Ennis Joslin Rd. then onto Ocean Dr.

During Buc Days Night Parade on Saturday May 4th, their will be several road closures due to the event.
Be sure to leave early to the event and expect delays.

IH 37 Eastbound and IH 37 Westbound at Chaparral
Will be closed at 7:45 pm just prior to the start of the parade.
Any traffic that arrives on IH 37 WB after 7:45 pm will be diverted onto Mesquite either back on to IH 37 EB or southbound on Mesquite then uptown.

Highway 181 Southbound to Twigg and North Upper Broadway
This off ramp area will be closed at 5:00 pm as we prepare for the start of the parade.
Any traffic that arrives at this off ramp after 5:00pm will be directed towards IH 37 Eastbound.

East Port Ave from Chaparral St. to West Broadway St.
This area will be closed at 6:00 pm.
Any traffic that arrives at this location after 6:00 pm will be directed back to IH 37.

During inclement weather we want our community to be safe as they travel on the roadways.

Here are a few helpful tips:

-Drive slower than usual so that you have time to react to other traffic on the roadway.
-Turn on your head lights so that you are visible to other vehicles and pedestrians.
-Be aware of possible flooding in low lying areas.
-Do not drive through flooded streets.
-It only takes 6 inches of flowing water to knock a pedestrian off their feet.
-It only takes 12 inches of flowing water to float a car or SUV.