Several local residents have been targeted recently for a fraud/scam that has been labeled as “virtual kidnapping”.   The caller tells the targeted victim that a grandson or other family member is in trouble, usually out of the country, and then they are given instructions on wiring or sending money electronically to solve the problem.

Are you putting too much personal information about your grandkids or other family members on your Facebook Page for all the world to see?  This scam is nothing new and it appears that the criminals are getting the relationship information from family social media pages.   It also appears that these criminals target elderly family members who might have only occasional contact with the family member that is “kidnapped”.

The F.B.I. suggests the following action if you receive one of these calls.

To avoid becoming a victim of this extortion scheme, look for the following possible indicators:

• Incoming calls come from an outside area code, sometimes from Puerto Rico with area codes (787), (939) and (856)
• Calls do not come from the kidnapped victim’s phone
• Callers go to great lengths to keep you on the phone
• Callers prevent you from calling or locating the “kidnapped” victim
• Ransom money is only accepted via wire transfer service

If you receive a phone call from someone who demands payment of a ransom for a kidnapped victim, the following should be considered:

• Try to slow the situation down. Request to speak to the victim directly. Ask, “How do I know my loved one is okay?”
• If they don’t let you speak to the victim, ask them to describe the victim or describe the vehicle they drive, if applicable.
• Listen carefully to the voice of the kidnapped victim if they speak.
• Attempt to call, text, or contact the victim via social media. Request that the victim call back from his or her cell phone.
• While staying on the line with alleged kidnappers, try to call the alleged kidnap victim from another phone.
• To buy time, repeat the caller’s request and tell them you are writing down the demand, or tell the caller you need time to get things moving.
• Don’t directly challenge or argue with the caller. Keep your voice low and steady.

Request the kidnapped victim call back from his/her cell phone.

Date: Thursday, June 30, 2016, 01:42 am
Location: 3854 SPID
Offense: Murder (PC 19.02) 1st Degree Felony
Case Number: 1606300015

Corpus Christi Police Officers were dispatched to 3854 SPID in reference to a nature unknown. Upon arrival officers located a 22 year old male in the parking lot bleeding from the head. The responding officers discovered that the victim had been stabbed several times. The victim was transported to Spohn Memorial where he died from his injuries at 2:07 am.

The preliminary information officers have is that there was a argument between two males. The argument escalated in the parking lot and at some point during this argument the victim was stabbed. A male subject wearing blue jeans and a white shirt was seen running from the location. Corpus Christi Homicide Detectives are actively working this homicide and are currently interviewing witnesses.

Anyone who knows any additional information about this crime should contact the Corpus Christi Police Department at 886-2840. Information about unsolved crimes may be provided to investigators anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or online at 888TIPS.com. Information provided to Crime Stoppers which results in an arrest may earn the caller a cash reward.

Date: Wednesday, June 29, 2016, 01:33 am
Location: 4223 S. Alameda
Offense: Aggravated Assault/Family Violence (PC 22.02) 1st Degree Felony
Case Number: 1606290009

Corpus Christi Police Department officers were dispatched to 4223 S. Alameda in reference to a traffic accident with injuries. Officers contacted a witness who advised the incident was not an accident that a female purposely struck her boyfriend with the vehicle. Officers contacted the male victim who was in a lot of pain and would not cooperate with police officers. The male was taken to Doctors Regional Medical Center for treatment.

The witness advised that the incident started inside the bar and continued outside in the parking lot. The witness advised that he saw the 30 year old male strike the 29 year old female possibly knocking her unconscious. The female woke up, grabbed her keys and stated that she was going to hit the male with her car. The female drove her Nissan Altima directly at the male. The male was struck with the front of the car carrying him about 30 feet and then striking the building causing significant damage. The female struck another vehicle and fled the scene. Officers searched the area but were unable to locate the female.

Anyone who knows any additional information about this crime should contact the Corpus Christi Police Department at 886-2840. Information about unsolved crimes may be provided to investigators anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or online at 888TIPS.com. Information provided to Crime Stoppers which results in an arrest may earn the caller a cash reward.

Date: Wednesday, June 29, 2016, 8:13 am
Location: 3600 S. Saxet Dr.
Offense: Cruelty to non livestock animals (PC 42.092) 3rd Degree Felony
Case Number: 1606290045

Corpus Christi Police Officers arrested 20 year old Rosendo C. Gonzales (02-13-1996) for cruelty to non livestock animals.

Officers were called to 3600 S, Saxet Dr. after the Corpus Christi Fire Department responded to smoke in the area and located a dog carcass in a bar-b-que pit. Engine-5 had put the fire out prior to officers arriving. Officers observed the small dog inside the bar-b-que pit. Officers attempted to make contact with the suspect, but there was no response. Officers contacted family members who arrived at the scene. They were able to make contact with the suspect and gain entry into the house.

Rosendo was asked about the incident. He stated that he was petting the dog and was bit. He reacted causing serious injury to the dog. He panicked and put the dog on the bar-b-que pit in order to get “rid of it”. Officers arrested Rosendo and transported him to the City Detention Center.

Crime Scene Technician processed the scene. Animal Control Officers collected the carcass inside the bar-b-que pit in order to preserve evidence.