NVID KEEPS PRESSURE ON ILLEGAL GAME ROOMS.
SERVES MULTIPLE SEARCH WARRANTS

Detectives with the CCPD Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division continued their drive to eradicate illegal gambling within the Corpus Christi city limits by serving multiple search warrants Wednesday afternoon at two illegal gambling establishments on the city’s northwest. Following a months-long investigation into the businesses that uncovered evidence of illegal gambling, Detectives secured search warrants for two separate unnamed game rooms located at 11217 Leopard Street, Suite A and Suite B. During the searches, NVID Detectives seized a large amount of gambling equipment, over $10,000.00 cash, and other evidence of illegal gambling.

Arrested at Suite A was game room employee 55-year-old Molly Miller. She was charged with Gambling Promotion, Keeping a Gambling Place, and Possession of a Gambling Device. Miller was additionally charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance when officers found a small baggie of drugs on her during her arrest on the gambling charges.

At Suite B, Detectives arrested 59-year-old Guadalupe Harvey and Leticia Torres, 43, on charges of Gambling Promotion, Keeping a Gambling Place, and Possession of a Gambling Device. Torres was additionally charged with Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon (handgun). A total of nine patrons were cited for Gambling, a Class C misdemeanor.

Yesterday’s raids came on the heels of a NVID search warrant last Wednesday at the Lucky Spin game room, 2330 Airline Road, where Detectives arrested 26-year-old Alysah Fernandez for Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, Gambling Promotion, Keeping a Gambling Place, Possession of a Gambling Device, and violation of the Nueces County Game Room Ordinance. In that instance, Detectives seized a sizeable quantity of illegal gambling equipment, over $10,000 cash and a vehicle.

Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity and Possession of a controlled substance are state jail felonies punishable by up to two years in jail and a maximum $10,000 fine, while the Gambling charges are class A misdemeanors.

All three investigations are ongoing, and additional 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 may face criminal charges.

NVID Detectives were assisted in these operations by officers with the CCPD Directed Patrol Unit and Traffic Section, along with investigators with the State of Texas Comptroller’s Office, which regulates coin operated machines.

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 diligently enforce all Texas gambling laws, which furthers our mission to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and to improve the quality of life in our community.

Update 9:38pm: Mr. Oliva has been located, is safe, and is being reunited with family.

Corpus Christi Police needs your help locating a missing elderly male.

72-year-old Cristobal Oliva Jr was reported missing by family members and was last seen at around 4:45pm on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the 6000 block of S. Padre Island Drive on the eastbound side.

Mr. Oliva is described as a Hispanic male, who is 5’11”, weighs approximately 160 pounds, has brown eyes, short gray hair, and was last seen wearing a dark blue Dallas Cowboys shirt, light gray sweatpants and black shoes. Mr. Oliva suffers from dementia and other medical conditions that require medical assistance.

If you have any information or see Mr. Oliva, please call the Corpus Christi Police Department by calling 911 or 361-886-2600.

On Saturday, March 22, 2025, Officers with the Corpus Christi Police Department were dispatched to the 2400 block of N. Oso Pkwy, in reference to an individual in a medical crisis.  Officers received information that an individual was inside the Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve and was in need of emergency medical assistance.  Due to the vast terrain of the location, and the exact location of the individual unknown, a drone operator was dispatched to the location to assist.  Multiple Officers set out on foot, while the drone operator searched the location with a drone.  After a few minutes, the individual was located by drone, and officers were directed approximately .75 miles to the individual.  Officers provided life saving measures, to include applying a tourniquet.  Medics with the Corpus Christi Fire Department transported the individual to a local hospital where medical staff advised that quickly locating and providing medical aid to the individual on scene, played a significant role in the individual’s survival.  Great job to all officers and medics who assisted on this call.  This incident is just one of many, that emphasizes the invaluable role of drones in emergency response.  The use of drones allows officers to view and access hard to reach areas, aides with response times, assists in officer safety, and helps assess environmental safety hazards.  

On March 21, 2025, at about 10:38 pm Corpus Christi Police Officers were in the 3000 block of Ocean Dr. when they observed a brown truck and a blue motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed. The truck and motorcycle were accelerating quickly, in an attempt to outdistance each other. The screeching motorcycle exhaust made it obvious they were not slowing down.

Officers were able to stop both the truck and motorcycle several blocks away from the initial observation.

The driver of the truck, 35-year-old Orlando De La Garza, and motorcycle operator, 27-year-old Hanna Huffman, were both arrested for Racing. Both the motorcycle and truck were impounded.  

 On March 22, 2025, at about 10:45 pm a white passenger car stopped at the intersection of Ocean Dr. and Louisiana Ave traffic light. Once the light turned green the white vehicle accelerated at a very high rate of speed, catching the attention of officers monitoring the area. The vehicle continued south on Ocean Dr. weaving in and out of traffic driving irradicably, endangering other motorists on the road. Officers were able to catch up to the vehicle and stop it. The driver, Juan Elizondo (25), was arrested for Reckless Driving. He was additionally charged with and out of county warrant and possession of marijuana. His vehicle was impounded.

On March 22, 2025, at about 12:12 am officers were monitoring traffic in the area of Ocean Dr. when they observed a blue passenger car and black passenger car slow down while in the lanes of travel impeding other motorist on the roadway. The two vehicles were side by side. The drivers revved their engines several times and quickly accelerated at a very high rate of speed. It was obvious these vehicles were attempting to race one another.

As the vehicles traveled down Ocean Dr. officers were able to conduct a traffic stop on both involved. The driver of the blue vehicle was identified as Christopher Flores (20). He was arrested for Racing and Unlawful carrying of a weapon (handgun).

The driver of the black vehicle, Abram Ray Perales (24), was arrested for Racing. The passenger in that vehicle, Dayton Sosa (23), was arrested for unlawful carrying of a weapon (handgun) and possession of marijuana.

Both vehicles involved were impounded.

On March 22, 2025, at approximately1:14 am Corpus Christi Police Officers observed a black passenger car traveling east bound at the 4300 block of Hwy 358. The vehicle was observed traveling at 117 mph. The vehicle continued east bound switching lanes and cutting through traffic while continuing at that dangerous speed.

Officers were able to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle that came to a stop at a private drive on SPID and Airline Rd.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as 19-year-old Camreon Gerlach. He was placed under arrest for reckless driving due to the disregard for the safety of other motorists.  

A reminder once again, the safety of our citizens is our top priority, and this reckless behavior will not be tolerated.

Showing off for just a moment can land you in jail and your vehicle impounded. It’s just not worth it.

**Only 1 Practice Assessment Left for This Application Process!**

You’re Invited!

We invite you to participate in the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Practice Physical Assessment Test (PAT) on Saturday, March 29th, 2025, at 7:30 a.m. This event is for individuals interested in joining our upcoming CCPD 85th Police Academy, which is expected to begin in July 2025. The practice test is an excellent opportunity to assess your strengths and identify areas for improvement as you prepare for the selection process ahead.

The test will be held at the Corpus Christi Police Training Center, 6902 Yorktown Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX.

We hope to see you there!

On March 22, 2025, at approximately 5:41 pm off duty Corpus Christi Police Officers were made aware of two juvenile males that were seen with a gun.

The off duty CCPD officers were in full department uniform working a security detail at the 5400 block of South Padre Island Dr. Officers were told the two males were in a nearby department store and were observed displaying a gun.

Officers observed the two males exiting the department store. It was obvious to officers one male was attempting to conceal a weapon under his clothing. That male was detained and resisted. He was taken into custody without further incident.

The other male was detained and assaulted a security guard in the process.

Both males were ultimately arrested. One 14-year-old male was arrested for unlawful carrying of a weapon and resisting arrest. The other male was arrested for assault on a security guard and resisting arrest. A hang gun was recovered.

Both juvenile males were transported to the Nueces County Juvenile Justice Center for booking.

On March 22, 2025, at about 11: 37 pm officers were flagged down at South Padre Island Dr and Airline Rd (west bound) in reference to a major traffic accident.

Officers observed a severely damaged single vehicle on the cement incline area of the highway overpass.

Officers located a 47-year-old female passenger inside the vehicle with life threatening injuries. CCFD Shortly arrived and extricated the passenger. She was transported to a local hospital in serious condition.

Officers located the driver of the vehicle a few yards away from the crash. The male driver had attempted to leave the scene.

When speaking with officers the male showed signs of intoxication. He was transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation due to the severity of the vehicle crash.

Follow up traffic investigators were called out to assist in the crash investigation.

Witnesses told officers the vehicle was observed traveling west bound in the 6000 block of South Padre Island Drive at a high rate of speed, when it ran through the red light at the intersection. The vehicle struck the curb and light pole causing it to flip and come to rest on the cement incline.

Once medically cleared, officers arrested driver 46-year-old Stephen Sims for Intoxication Assault w/ a vehicle causing serious bodily injury.

He was transported to the city detention center for booking.

On March 22, 2025, at approximately 12:29 am officers were dispatched to the 5400 block of Bowie Dr. in reference to a disturbance in progress.

When officers arrived, they located a 52-year-old male victim with obvious head trauma. CCFD medics were requested.

The victim was able to tell officers he was assaulted by a family member with a blunt object. Its unknown at this time what led up to the assault.

Medics transported the victim to a local hospital where he was last reported to be in serious condition.

Officers checked multiple locations for the offender but were unable to locate.

This is still an active investigation.

The Corpus Christi Police Department’s Traffic Division is continuing the investigation into the pedestrian fatality that took place at Airline Rd./Holly Rd. on Monday, March 17, 2025 at 10:15 pm.

Investigators are asking for anyone in the area of the accident during that date and time, to please call the traffic division at 361-886-2596. Investigators are particularly interested in a dark in color vehicle that may have more information regarding this accident.

CCPD Detectives needs your assistance in identifying this attempted burglary suspect.

During the early morning hours of March 14, 2025, this male was caught on security video attempting to break into an apartment in the 5900 block of Weber Rd.

Investigators suspect this individual to be the same person involved in the previous burglaries and sexual assault.

If you know this individual or if you have any information about this incident, you are encouraged to contact 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=.