Adam District, Patrol Division, Traffic Safety Division

Several Crashes Close IH 37 South

The Corpus Christi Police Department was forced to shut down Interstate 37 South after several vehicles were involved in crashes beginning at 7:25 this morning.  Interstate 37 South was closed  while officers cleaned up the freeway in several different areas.

Here is a time line of the crashes.

7:25 AM A one car rollover crash was reported near Suntide Road.  As units were rolling up to this crash scene, they observed two other cars crashed into each other.

7:31 AM A second call for another two car crash is reported a near Suntide Road.  This may have been related to the one the officers saw as they were arriving.

7:49 AM A crash involving two semi-trucks and three cars is reported at Carbon Plant Rd.

7:51 AM A three car crash is reported at McKenzie Road

8:22 AM Officers close IH 37 South at McKenzie Road. Traffic is detoured to access roads.

8:27 AM A two car crash is reported at Carbon Plant Rd. unrelated to the 5 car crash involving the semi-trucks.

8:34 AM A report of a crash involving nearly 15 cars and a semi-truck is reported at IH 37 South at Violet Road.

9:09 AM HAZMAT crews are requested to respond to the semi-truck crash at Violet Road for fluid and materials leaking from jack knifed trailer.

9:15 AM A crash is reported at IH 37 South at Callicoatte Road.

9:31 AM CCPD makes request for all city wreckers to respond to crash scene

9:48 AM A crash involving a dump truck is reported at near IH 37 South and Callicoatte Road.

10:08 AM Lanes on IH 37 South at McKenzie Road are opened

11:20 AM One lane of IH 37 South at Violet Road is open.  Traffic no longer being diverted to access roads.

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Semi-truck crash at Violet Road

 

Several people were transported by several EMS services to different hospitals.  There is no report of any life threatening injuries.

Community Outreach

Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers Increases Reward Amounts and Improves Customer Experience

The Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers Board of Directors announced several changes including increased rewards and new marketing products to improve services to the community and to help make Corpus Christi safe.

New Logo for the Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers June 2015
New Logo for the
Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers
June 2015

Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers has increased the maximum reward to $2,500 dollars. This is the first increase in rewards for the Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers since the organization began in October, 1981. The anonymous tips provided to Crime Stoppers which result in an arrest are eligible for cash rewards. The amount of the rewards is related to the nature of the crime and the Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers has a matrix to determine the amount for each circumstance. The matrix has been adjusted to increase all the rewards paid out by the Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers beginning Monday June 15, 2015. The Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers approved $18,030 dollars in rewards in 2014 and has approved $26,810 dollars in rewards for 2015 as of June 11, 2015. The Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers chose to increase the amount of the rewards to adjust for the rate of inflation and to encourage participation to make Corpus Christi a safer community.

The Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers program operates solely by donations and are not funded by tax dollars. The Board of Directors is a group of volunteers in the community and they believe they will be able to sustain the increase in the reward amounts based on the previous five years of activity. The Board of Directors would like to let the community know there is a need for donations to keep up with operating expenses and to make sure the rewards are paid, so any donation would gladly be accepted. Anyone interested to donate to the Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers may send payment to P.O. Box 4287, Corpus Christi, Texas 78469. Anyone who would like to participate with Crime Stoppers may send an email to Cccs1981@yahoo.com.

The Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers has also launched a new logo for a more updated appearance for the organization. The Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers informs the community of unsolved crimes through broadcast media on KZTV, KRIS, & KORO television stations; on Clear Channel, Convergent and Malkan Interactive radio stations; and social media such as Facebook and youtube. The Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers is also conducting a redesign of their website to improve the customer experience.

The Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers provides an avenue for the citizens of Corpus Christi to report crimes anonymously through the use of a hotline and pays rewards to anonymous tipsters.

Bravo District, Charlie District, Delta District, Patrol Division

Patrol Report 06/15/2015

The Corpus Christi Police Department responded to 768  calls for service and generated 209 reports for formal criminal complaints from 7:00 a.m. June 14 to 7:00 a.m. on June 15, 2015. These are samples of the criminal complaints filed by the Corpus Christi Police for that time period.

“BRAVO” District
Date: 06/14/2015       10:50 PM
Location: 6600 South Padre Island Drive
Offense: Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle
P.C. 31.07       State Jail Felony
Case Number: 1506140149
Corpus Christi Police responded to a new car dealership, located at 6602 South Padre Island Drive, after a man was seen breaking into a vehicle in the parking lot.

Officers received a call from security officers that they were chasing a man who had broken a front driver side window on a 2015 Ford Explorer.  When officers arrived the security officers had the man in custody.  He told police he was looking to drive one of the new cars back to Austin, Texas.

Benjamin Berckenhoff (09/30/1996), was arrested for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Police located a metal pipe in his possession that they believe was used to break out the window.
Continue reading Patrol Report 06/15/2015 →

Community Outreach, Criminal Investigations Division

Man Wanted On Two Warrants PIO2

Date: 06/07/2015       5:45 PM
Location: 500 King Street
Offense: Robbery  **UPDATE***
Case Number: 1506070105
A 21 year old male victim called Corpus Christi Police after he was assaulted at a park in the 500 block of King Street.

The male victim told officers that a man that he knew lured him to the park by saying he wanted to play basketball.  When the victim arrived, the man accused him of seeing his girlfriend.  The victim was then jumped by the man and two other males.

The victim suffered several wounds to his face, forehead mouth and eyes as a result of being assaulted by the three men.  He told officers he had driven to the park in his car, and then fled on foot after the assault.  When he walked back to get his 1991 Oldsmobile sedan, it was gone.

Detectives have obtained an arrest warrant for the suspect they believe was involved in this robbery.  They now need your help in locating this wanted person.  Raymond Cuellar (03/16/1994), is wanted in connection to this robbery.  The bond amount is $60,000.

In addition to this arrest warrant, for robbery, the suspect is also wanted on a previous arrest warrant for an aggravated assault that occurred on May 31, 2015.  That warrant also has a bond amount of $60,000.

Anyone who knows where this suspect can be found should call the Corpus Christi Police Robbery & Homicide Detectives at 886-2840. Anyone who would like to keep their identity secret and provide information to 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.

wanted

            Raymond Cuellar (03/16/1994)

Community Outreach

Women In Policing Seminar Today PIO02

The Corpus Christi Training Academy is hosting a Women in Policing Seminar this morning from 8 to 11 at the Corpus Christi Police Training Center located at 4510 Corona Drive.

The purpose of the seminar is to inform women about the Corpus Christi Police Department as a career opportunity.  Female officers will  present information about being a Corpus Christi Police Officer.  This question and answer session is geared toward understanding how law enforcement is suited for females as well as males. 

Other topics of discussion will include the minimum standards and qualifications to be employed as a Police Officer, the pay scale and benefits, the training academy curriculum, and the application process.  

The entrance physical fitness exam will be offered at the conclusion of the seminar for those who would like to participate.  Those who attend should bring appropriate work out attire if they would like to participate in the physical fitness exam.  

If you cannot make it to the seminar this morning, but are still interested in getting more information on the application process call (361) 826-4071 or contact CCPD Recruiter, Senior Officer Mel Goce at (361) 826-4082. 

Women In Policing

 

Bravo District, Charlie District, Patrol Division

Patrol Report 06/12/2015 PIO2

The Corpus Christi Police Department responded to 1005 calls for service and generated 226 reports for formal criminal complaints from 7:00 a.m. June 11 to 7:00 a.m. on June 12, 2015. These are samples of the criminal complaints filed by the Corpus Christi Police for that time period.

 

“BRAVO” District
Date: 06/11/2015       8:05 PM
Location: 1300 Waldron Road
Offense: Deadly Conduct
P.C. 22.05       Class A Misdemeanor
Case Number: 1506110130
A man trying to call 911 to report another drivers erratic driving led to one of the men pulling a gun on the other.

A 30 year old male told officers that he witnessed a black Ford Mustang driving erratic in the 10300 block of South Padre Island Drive.  He called 911 to report the incident and followed the driver to the Laguna Apartments located at 1318 Waldron Road.

When they both parked, the driver of the Mustang exited his car with handgun and pointed at the male.  The male then fled and waited for police to arrive.

Officers arrived and were able to contact the driver of the Mustang, Zaragosa Beltran (07/01/1986), and he was arrested  for deadly conduct.

Officers recovered a .22 caliber handgun from the driver’s car.

 

Continue reading Patrol Report 06/12/2015 PIO2 →

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

Patrol Report 06/11/2015 PIO2

The Corpus Christi Police Department responded to 929 calls for service and 228 generated reports for formal criminal complaints from 7:00 a.m. June 10 to 7:00 a.m. on June 11, 2015. These are samples of the criminal complaints filed by the Corpus Christi Police for that time period.

 

“ADAM” District
Date: 06/11/2015       2:45 AM
Location: 4400 Leopard Street
Offense: Driving While Intoxicated-Felony
P.C. 49.04       Third Degree Felony
Case Number: 1506110015
A Corpus Christi Police Officer on patrol observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation at the intersection of Leopard Street and Westchester Drive.

Once the officer was able to stop the 2007 Ford Escape, it was determined that the driver had been drinking earlier in the evening.

After an investigation, the driver, Kerri Lewis (11/26/1971), was found to be intoxicated.  He was arrested for driving while intoxicated, a third degree felony.

 

Continue reading Patrol Report 06/11/2015 PIO2 →

Criminal Investigations Division

Police Seek Help To Find Fugitive

Ernest Gutierrez (August 29, 1977) Fugitive from justice
Ernest Gutierrez
(August 29, 1977)
Fugitive from justice

The Corpus Christi Police Department would like help from the public to locate 37-year-old Ernest Gutierrez (August 29, 1977). Gutierrez has a warrant for his arrest for not paying child support and is a suspect in other crimes.

Gutierrez is described as a 37-year-old male, about 5 feet 5 inches tall, 185 pounds, with blue eyes,  short hair, and  a light beard with mustache. The last known address for Gutierrez was on the 2900 block of Churchill with relatives who reside on the 4900 block of Cain.

Anyone who knows how to locate Gutierrez should not attempt to apprehend him, but call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the information online at http://www.888TIPS.com. Information provided to Crime Stoppers which results in an arrest may earn the caller a cash reward.

Delta District, Patrol Division

Mother Arrested After Child Found Outside

“DELTA” District
Date: 06/10/2015       10:05 AM
Location: 1400 Yucca Court
Offense: Abandoning / Endangering A Child
P.C. 22.041     Second Degree Felony
Case Number: 1506100051
Corpus Christi Police Officers responded to a call at 1430 Yucca Court regarding a child found alone.

A 25 year old female was coming from visiting a relative who lives on Yucca Court when she saw a 6 year old girl standing outside yelling for help. The women said she found the child at about 9 AM and she spent about an hour looking for the child’s mother. When she went inside the child’s apartment she found no adult inside. She also saw that the apartment was very dirty.

The women waited for about 45 minutes to see if the mother would return, and she did not. The women then contacted police just after 10 AM.

When officers arrived the child told them that her mother left her alone this morning and told her that she was going to the store. While officers were investigating this case, the mother drove by at 10:45 AM. When the mother saw police outside her home, she sped away. She was stopped by officers just down the street.

The mother, Kassandra Ann Vargas (06/14/1967), was arrested for endangering / abandoning a child. Child Protective Services arrived and took custody of the child and the apartment was secured.

Community Outreach, Criminal Investigations Division

Be Aware When You Carry Money Bags P2

The Corpus Christi Police Department wants to remind citizens to be aware of their surroundings when they are carrying money from banks.

While there has not been a reported case of the “jugging” type robberies since May 14, we want to warn citizens not to become complaisant.  We cannot be sure that these violent thieves have stopped targeting our city or if our citizens have made it too difficult for them to commit this crime.

Our department does have strategies it has implemented to address these crimes but we also ask that citizens do their part in protecting themselves.

The offenders are known to target mainly female bank customers after they leave a bank with a deposit or money bag. They park in the bank parking lot or very close by.  They are usually in newer model cars with paper license plate and tinted windows.   They watch the front door or commercial lane of the drive through looking for business related transactions. The suspects then follow the victims back to their business, or a location where they park their vehicle, and physically assault them and steal the money bag.

 

Corpus Christi Police Daily Blotter