Detectives with the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division took down yet another illicit gambling operation Wednesday afternoon. Continuing their initiative to eliminate illegal gambling within the Corpus Christi city limits, NVID Detectives served a search warrant at the Midway Club game room, located on the 4600 block of Kostoryz Road, shortly after 2:00 pm yesterday. The search warrant was the conclusion of a months-long investigation into the business that uncovered evidence of illegal gambling. During the search, Detectives found and seized multiple illegal gambling devices and over $9,000 in cash. The lone employee at the time of the raid, Graciela Guzman, age 64, was arrested and charged with gambling promotion, keeping a gambling place, possession of a gambling device, and engaging in organized criminal activity. Engaging in organized criminal activity is a state jail felony, punishable by up to two years in jail and a maximum $10,000 fine, while the other three charges are class A misdemeanors. 16 adult patrons inside the game room were cited for gambling, a class C misdemeanor. NVID had previously raided the same location on September 14, 2022. That raid resulted in the arrest of one woman for similar charges, and the seizure of over $61,000 in cash. Even though the business possesses a valid Nueces County Game Room Permit, that does not allow the business to violate the Texas Gambling Statute by paying out cash prizes.

This investigation continues, and additional charges and arrests are possible. The Corpus Christi Police Department reminds citizens that game rooms which pay out cash rewards are engaging in illegal gambling. Patrons as well as the management of these establishments may face criminal charges.

NVID Detectives were assisted in the operation by officers with the CCPD Operations Division, as well as 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 enforce all Texas gambling laws, which will help accomplish our mission to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and to improve the quality of life in our community.

CCPD Auto Theft division is looking to identify the two males involved in stealing this motorcycle last month from a local apartment complex.

If you know or recognize these thieves or the vehicle involved, you are urged to call the Police Department at 361-886-2840. You can also remain anonymous and call Crimestoppers at 361-888-TIPS or submit the information online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=Tip Form Submit an anonymous tip online.

www.p3tips.com Information provided to Crime Stoppers is anonymous and if the information leads to an arrest, it could earn you a cash reward.

On September 2, 2024, at about 8:17 am officers were dispatched to the 1300 block of Agnes St. in reference to a man down call. A motorist called in that they had observed a male on the ground and did not appear to be moving.

Officers arrived and located a deceased male near a building, away from the roadway. The male had apparent trauma.

Officers began to contact any pedestrians in the area and attempt to locate any nearby security video.

The investigation continues.

UPDATE: During the course of the investigation Detectives were able to locate surveillance video and positively identify the individuals involved.

Detectives were able to secure a Murder warrant for 46-year-old Ruben Martinez in connection with the death of the 33-year-old male victim.

Martinez was located by the CCPD Gang Unit who was actively patrolling and searching the area of Nueces Bay Blvd. and Antelope St. He was transported to the Police Department main station for interviewing.

Martinez was finally transported to the City Detention Center where he was booked and charged with Murder.

This remains an active investigation.

On Sunday, September 1, 2024, at 6:40pm, officers were dispatched to the 5500 block of Everhart Road in reference to a shooting with injuries.

Officers arrived and located two gunshot victims. Medics transported the victims to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Preliminary information obtained is the victims were involved in a botched robbery and were shot by an unknown subject.

Officers are actively investigating the scene.

UPDATE:

During the investigation officers were able to locate 21-year-old John Perez at a business in the shopping center and identify him as being involved. During that time officers were able to review security video and contact witnesses.

Ultimately Perez was arrested and charged with 2 counts of Aggravated assault w/deadly weapon, manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance pg3<, possession of a controlled substance pg2>, and possession of dangerous drug.   This is still an ongoing investigation.

On Saturday, August 31, 2024, at 7:47pm, officers were dispatched to South Bluff Park in reference to a shooting with injuries involving a child.

Officers located the shooting victim, a one-year-old male, at a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and were able to speak with witnesses. Witnesses told officers that the incident occurred at South Bluff Park, but officers quickly determined that the incident occurred on the 1500 block of Howard Street. Officers were able to detain multiple people from the residence for questioning.

Officers determined that a 16-year-old female was handling a handgun inside of a bedroom when the handgun discharged and struck the one-year-old child. The handgun was recovered by officers.

The 16-year-old female was arrested for injury to a child-weapon and transported to the Nueces County Juvenile Justice Center for booking.

For the second time in the past nine months, Corpus Christi Police Department Narcotics & Vice Investigations Detectives have raided the same illegally operated game room on the City’s southside. Following a months-long investigation into the business that uncovered evidence of illegal gambling, Detectives obtained a search warrant for the Player’s Lounge game room, located in a strip mall on the 3400 block of SPID. During the search, detectives found and seized a substantial amount of gambling equipment and over $73,000 cash. Although the business was closed at the time of the raid, NVID Detectives have identified the owner/operator and employees; future arrests for gambling promotion, keeping a gambling place, possession of a gambling device, and engaging in organized criminal activity are likely. Engaging in organized criminal activity is a state jail felony, punishable by up to two years in jail and a maximum $10,000 fine, while the other three charges are class A misdemeanors.

The Corpus Christi Police Department reminds citizens that game rooms which pay out cash rewards are engaging in illegal gambling. Patrons as well as the management of these establishments may face criminal charges.

NVID Detectives were assisted in the operation by officers with the CCPD Traffic Unit and 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 enforce all Texas gambling laws, which will help accomplish our mission to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and to improve the quality of life in our community.

Attention Corpus Christi Residents!
The Auto Theft Task Force wants to remind everyone to take simple steps to protect your vehicles and belongings:
Lock your car doors
Take your keys
Hide your belongings
Protect it. It’s yours! Don’t provide an opportunity for thieves to strike. Let’s work together to keep our community safe.

#LikeItLockIt#MVCPA#CommunitySafety

On August 24, 2024, at about 1:20 AM CCPD officers were dispatched to the area of 700 N. Chapparal St. in reference to a shooting. Updates stated there were multiple shots fired and a subject lying in the roadway.

Officers arrived on scene and located a 26-year-old male victim on the ground who had severe head injuries. CCFD arrived and transported that victim to a local hospital. It was determined the injuries were from blunt force and not a gunshot wound.

Multiple officers arrived on the scene to assist. They contacted several involved parties and witnesses.

While on scene a female suspected to be involved arrived at a local hospital with a single gunshot wound to her leg. Her injuries were non-life threatening. Officers arrived at that hospital and contacted her as well.

After speaking to witnesses and reviewing security cameras, officers were able to determine an altercation occurred in a nearby establishment. When the involved individuals were leaving a fight broke out in the roadway.

26-year-old Jakob Martinez had struck the victim several times with a weapon. 23-year-old Serena Alonzo and 26-year-old Maria Alonzo were also seen assaulting the victim while he was on the ground.

Witnesses attempted to stop Martinez, but he recklessly fired several shots from a weapon, accidentally striking Maria Alonzo in the leg.

Officers on scene were able to locate Martinez and Serena Alonzo and place them into custody. Officers placed Maria Alonzo into custody once she was treated and medically cleared from the hospital. The weapon used was recovered.

All three were arrested and charged with Aggravated assault /causes serious bodily injury. Maritnez was additional charged with Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

There were several others involved in this incident. Some have been identified and some have not.

If you have any information on this incident that occurred downtown, you are urged to call the police at (361) 886-2840. Individuals that wish to remain anonymous may submit a tip via Crime Stoppers (361) 888-TIPS or (361-888-8477).

Look Before You Leave Your Car – Temperatures Rise Quickly!

Tips to consider:
Set a reminder/alarm on your phone.
Create a check-in system with your child’s other parent, caregiver or daycare.
Place an item of importance in the backseat (keys, wallet, purse).
Make it a habit of opening the back door every time you park to ensure no child is left behind.

Protect the ones you love!

On August 20, 2024, at about 1:29 pm officers were dispatched to 4301 Schanen Blvd (Tom Browne Middle School) in reference to an infant left in a vehicle.

CCPD along with CCFD arrived on scene and were directed toward the infant who was actively being administered CPR by the school nurse.

CCFD transported the 22-month-old infant to a local hospital where they were later pronounced deceased.

CCPD Detectives were called out to the scene to investigate the incident. It is unknown how long the infant was in the vehicle.

This is still an ongoing investigation at this time.

UPDATE: CCPD Detectives have arrested 33-year-old Hilda Ann Adame, mother of the deceased 22-month child.

Adame was transported from the school to the main police station for interviewing. She was then transported to the City Detention Center for booking. She is charged with Injury to a child/ serious bodily injury and Abandon/Endanger child/imminent bodily injury.