Community Outreach, Traffic Safety Division

First Friday Fun Fact

The Corpus Christi Police Department has a campaign called “First Friday Fun Fact” that will focus on different Texas traffic laws.  It will run on the first Friday of each month. Here is this months traffic fact.

Move minor accidents out of traffic

Have you ever been caught in a traffic jam only to find that it was caused by a minor crash blocking a lane?  Maybe you’ve thought to yourself, “there oughta be a law…”  Well, there is.  The law requires that anyone involved in an accident not obstruct traffic any more than is necessary.  The law even specifically requires that, if an accident occurs on a freeway or freeway ramp in a metropolitan area and all involved vehicles can be safely driven, the motorists involved must move their vehicles off of the freeway immediately.  This is to help prevent a traffic hazard and resulting congestion which, besides unnecessarily delaying others, also increases the likelihood of other accidents.  Many people think that their insurance won’t cover them if they move their cars from the scene before the police arrive, but this is absolutely false.  The police and insurance adjustors can usually determine what happened from the stories of those involved and the damage to the vehicles.  Besides, in the case of most accidents, you legally don’t even need to have the police come to the scene.  But if you’re worried, then quickly snap some pictures of the scene and vehicles with your cell phone camera before you move.

Fender-Bender-image

 

Texas Transportation Code 550.022 – ACCIDENT INVOLVING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE

 the operator of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in damage to a vehicle that is driven or attended by a person shall:

(1) Immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close as possible to the scene of the accident without obstructing traffic more than is necessary;

(b) If an accident occurs on a main lane, ramp, shoulder, median, or adjacent area of a freeway in a metropolitan area and each vehicle involved can be normally and safely driven, each operator shall move the operator’s vehicle as soon as possible to a designated accident investigation site, if available, a location on the frontage road, the nearest suitable cross street, or other suitable location to complete the requirements of Section 550.023 and minimize interference with freeway traffic.

Failure to move your vehicle out of the traffic lanes could result in you receiving a citation for this violation with fines up to $500.

Adam District, Bravo District, Charlie District, Delta District, Patrol Division

Patrol Report 08/07/2015

The Corpus Christi Police Department responded to 949 calls for service and generated 210 reports for formal criminal complaints from 7:00 a.m. August 6 to 7:00 a.m. on August 7, 2015. These are samples of the criminal complaints filed by the Corpus Christi Police for that time period.

 

 

Date: 08/07/2015       5:00 AM
Location: 3100 Ayers Street
Offense: Aggravated Robbery
P.C. 29.03       First Degree Felony
Case Number: 1508070022
A suspect walked into the Stripes Store, located at 3102 Ayers Street, with a black object in his hand, demanding money from the two store employees that were on duty.

The two employees did not believe the object was a gun, but the suspect used it to threaten them. The suspect walked behind the counter and began to push several buttons on the cash register in attempt to open it.

One of the employees said he was calling the police and the suspect started to leave. Before walking out the suspect grabbed the cash register and threw it on the ground. The suspect fled the store without getting any money.

He was described as a Hispanic male in his late twenties to middle thirties, with a large build. He was last seen wearing a baseball cap, a dark grey t-shirt and jeans, and his face was covered with a dark grey cloth.

No suspects have been arrested in this case, and Officers continue to investigate this crime.

  Continue reading Patrol Report 08/07/2015 →

Community Outreach

Chill-A-Brate Good Times C’mon

7-Eleven® Celebrates a Generation of Good Will with Operation Chill®

(Corpus Christi, Texas) (August 4, 2015) – 7-Eleven® celebrates a generation of good behavior this year. For 20 years, U.S. police officers have been ticketing kids with Operation Chill® FREE Slurpee® drink coupons. Many of those kids are adults now, and may even have children of their own who are eligible to receive a frozen treat for good behavior, compliments of 7-Eleven® and the Corpus Christi Police Department.

Begun in Philadelphia to give law enforcement officers a positive reason to interact with children and teens, Operation Chill has expanded to cities across the country. Through Operation Chill®, law enforcement officers from participating local police and sheriff’s departments can “ticket” youngsters caught in the act of doing good with Slurpee® beverage coupons. Appropriate “offenses” might include helping another person, deterring crime or participating in a positive activity in the community. Each coupon can be redeemed for a small Slurpee drink at participating 7-Eleven stores.

Since the program’s inception in 1995, nearly 14 million Operation Chill coupons have been distributed to hundreds of law enforcement agencies across the country in areas where 7-Eleven operates stores. During 2015, up to 1.25 million coupons will be issued nationally; most during the summer months and back-to-school season.

“This is a wonderful way for our officers to praise kids for doing the right thing in our community. As our officers reinforce positive behaviors we hope that the children continue to make positive choices in their lives,” said Interim Chief Mike Markle.

Operation Chill was developed by 7-Eleven, Inc. to positively reward and encourage good behavior by kids during the hot summer months, when communities may experience increases in loitering, shoplifting, and graffiti, and to support law enforcement agencies’ community relations projects. Police use the Operation Chill program to reward youth for their good deeds as well as enhance their relations with the young people of their city.

“I don’t know who likes the Operation Chill program more, police officers or kids,” said Mark Stinde, 7-Eleven vice president Asset Protection.  “Police officers have told us they love having a positive reason to approach kids and surprise them with a Slurpee coupon, just for being good citizens.”

7-Eleven’s proprietary Slurpee semi-frozen carbonated beverage has generational appeal with slurpers both young and old. More than a half-million Slurpee drinks are purchased each day during the summer at 7-Eleven stores across the country.

There are six 7-Eleven stores in Corpus Christi.

Operation Chill

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Adam District, Bravo District, Charlie District, Delta District, Patrol Division

Patrol Report 08/06/2015

The Corpus Christi Police Department responded to 924 calls for service and generated 194 reports for formal criminal complaints from 7:00 a.m. August 5 to 7:00 a.m. on August 6, 2015. These are samples of the criminal complaints filed by the Corpus Christi Police for that time period.

Date: 08/05/2015       6:45 PM
Location: 400 Paloma Street
Offense: Driving While Intoxicated
P.C.49.04        Class B Misdemeanor
Case Number: 1508050121
Corpus Christi Police responded to a hit and run crash at the corner of South Alameda Street and Paloma Street.

The crash investigation revealed that a 2013 Ford Explorer was stopped at the stop sign on Paloma Street waiting to turn onto South Alameda. A 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser turned unsafely onto Paloma Street side swiping the Ford on the driver and passenger side. The driver of the Chrysler did not stop, and fled the scene of the crash.

The 53 year old female driver of the Ford followed the hit and run vehicle to a home in the 4800 block of Jarvis Street. There Officers found the female driver of the hit and run vehicle, Kimberly Reyes (08/23/1991).  After an investigation it was determined that she was intoxicated and she was arrested.

There were no injuries as a result of the crash.

Continue reading Patrol Report 08/06/2015 →

Adam District, Bravo District, Charlie District, Delta District, Patrol Division

Patrol Report 08/05/2015

The Corpus Christi Police Department responded to 940 calls for service and generated 204 reports for formal criminal complaints from 7:00 a.m. August 4 to 7:00 a.m. on August 5, 2015. These are samples of the criminal complaints filed by the Corpus Christi Police for that time period.

 

Date: 08/04/2015       8:00 AM
Location: 5700 Spohn Drive
Offense: Burglary
P.C. 30.03       Class A Misdemeanor
Case Number: 1508040030
A bank teller called Corpus Christi Police after she noticed that the drive thru ATM at the Navy Army Federal Credit Union, located at 5725 Spohn Drive, had been damaged.

Officers arrived and were told that video surveillance captured a dark colored Chevrolet Avalanche truck enter the drive thru lane at about 11:35 PM on August 3.

The first thing the male suspect does is spray paint the surveillance camera on the machine. He then exits the truck and breaks the lock on the front panel of the ATM and then attempts to use a heating tool to make entry into the safe located at the bottom of the machine.

The suspect was unsuccessful in his attempts to get any money from inside the ATM, but he did cause nearly $5000 in damage.

At this time, Officers are still investigating this case and no suspects have been arrested.

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ATM located at Navy Army Federal Credit Union

 atm2

ATM located at Navy Army Federal Credit Union

 atm3

ATM located at Navy Army Federal Credit Union

  Continue reading Patrol Report 08/05/2015 →

Adam District, Bravo District, Charlie District, Delta District, Patrol Division

Patrol Report 08/04/2015

The Corpus Christi Police Department responded to 965 calls for service and generated 238 reports for formal criminal complaints from 7:00 a.m. August 3 to 7:00 a.m. on August 4, 2015. These are samples of the criminal complaints filed by the Corpus Christi Police for that time period.

 

Date: 08/04/2015       3:00 AM
Location: 2900 Marguerite Street
Offense: Arson
P.C. 28.02       Second Degree Felony
Case Number: 1508040015
A 29 year old female called Corpus Christi Police after an ex-boyfriend burned her car.

Officers along with CCFD arrived and the female told them that her ex-boyfriend had threatened to burn her vehicle when she spoke to him over the phone two days ago.

Just before 3 AM she walked out of her apartment, located in the 2900 block of Marguerite Street, and found her 2006 Ford Focus in engulfed in flames.

The female was able to provide Officers information regarding her ex-boyfriend, however, he has not been located.

 arson1

Victims vehicle that was burned

arson2

Victims vehicle that was burned

 

Continue reading Patrol Report 08/04/2015 →

Adam District, Bravo District, Charlie District, Delta District, Patrol Division

Patrol Report 08/03/2015

The Corpus Christi Police Department responded to 876 calls for service and generated 226 reports for formal criminal complaints from 7:00 a.m. August 2 to 7:00 a.m. on August 3, 2015. These are samples of the criminal complaints filed by the Corpus Christi Police for that time period.

 

Date: 08/02/2015       8:30 PM
Location: 5900 South Padre Island Drive
Offense: Theft
P.C. 30.04       Class A Misdemeanor
Case Number: 1508020119
A 23 year old female called Corpus Christi Police after someone stole her cell phone while she was pumping gas at a store located at 5939 South Padre Island Drive.

Officers arrived and were told by the female that she was filling her car up at the gas pump, when a black male in a maroon Ford Flex took her cellphone from her car.  The suspect was seen pulling up to the victim’s vehicle on the passenger side while she is standing on the driver’s side. The suspect was then seen exiting his vehicle, crawling on the ground to the victims 2014 Volkswagen Passat. He then opened her car door, and he took a Samsung Galaxy phone from the passenger seat. He then closes her door and gets back into his vehicle and leaves the parking lot.

Officers are attempting to find store video to assist them in this case.

At this time no suspects have been arrested.

Continue reading Patrol Report 08/03/2015 →

Charlie District, Criminal Investigations Division, Patrol Division

Suspect Steals Automotive Equipment

Date: 07/23/2015       3:30 PM
Location: 3237 South Padre Island Drive
Offense: Felony Theft
P.C. 31.03       State Jail Felony
Case Number: 1507230103
Corpus Christi Police Detectives have released camera surveillance images of a man they believe stole a piece of automotive equipment valued at $11,000 on July 23.

The owner of an Auto Mechanic Service called Corpus Christi Police after a suspect entered the office area inside the shop and removed the automotive scanner that was charging on top of the counter. He is seen in camera images unplugging the device and then concealing it in his pants.

The suspect is described as a black male with a mustache that walks with a limp. He walked out of the business and then leaves in a red hatchback vehicle. He was last seen wearing a short sleeve button up shirt and blue jeans.

The suspect in this case has not been identified, and detectives need you help in solving this crime.

Anyone with information about this case should call the Corpus Christi Police Property Crimes Detectives at 886-2840. Anyone who would like to keep their identity secret and provide information to the Detectives should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the tip online at http://www.888TIPS.com. Information provided to Crime Stoppers which results in an arrest may earn the caller a cash reward.

 

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Suspect concealing item in his pants

Mechanicshop2

Suspect inside office area

Mechanicshop3

Suspect removing item

Community Outreach

City Hosts Vehicle Auction Saturday

7-31-2015 11-48-35 AM

The city of Corpus Christi will auction 82 cars, trucks, and motorcycles at the  Police Vehicle Impound Lot, located at 5485 Greenwood Drive, on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at 10:00am.

The general public is encouraged to register and view the vehicles for auction from 1:00pm to 5:00pm on Friday, July 31 or August 1 from 8am until the start of the auction. No one under 17 years of age will be allowed in the impound lot or auction lot areas. Only registered bidders with a current bidder number will be allowed in the auction sale area on Saturday. 

The vehicles for auction may be viewed online and an auction list may be downloaded from www.siskauction.com.

Criminal Investigations Division

Crime Stoppers Offers Cash Reward to Apprehend Murder Suspect

Cleto Vasquez III (9/1/1962) Wanted in Nueces County for Murder
Cleto Vasquez III
(9/1/1962)
Wanted in Nueces County for Murder

Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information which leads to the capture of 52-year-old Cleto Vasquez (9/1/1962). Vasquez has a warrant for his arrest out of Nueces County for Murder. Vasquez is accused of killing 33-year-old Daniel Torres over the July 4th weekend in Robstown this year. The warrants service section of the  Nueces County Sheriff’s Office would like help from the public to locate Vasquez.

Vasquez is described as a 52-year-old man, about 5 feet 6 inches tall, about 150 pounds, with gray hair and brown eyes. Vasquez has been seen in Corpus Christi in 2013 at the 3200 block of South Port and his last known address was on the 4500 block of Pecos Street in Robstown.

Anyone with any information which can lead law enforcement to locate Vasquez should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the information online at http://www.888TIPS.com. Crime Stoppers guarantees anonymity to anyone who provides information to Crime Stoppers. Information provided to Crime Stoppers which leads to an arrest may earn the caller a cash reward.

Corpus Christi Police Daily Blotter