CCPD and DPS Inter-Agency Stop Aggressive Driving Campaign

The Corpus Christi Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety will be teaming up in an effort to keep the interstate and highways safe for the motoring public. The safety of all citizens on our roadways is paramount to the mission of the CCPD and DPS. As a result, both agencies will be conducting a joint operation in an effort to Stop Aggressive Driving (SAD).

Officers and Troopers will be working together to conduct speed compliance checks. Drivers found to be driving in an aggressive or illegal manner will be cited. A person who is found to be driving 20 mph or more over the speed limit or making unsafe lane changes will be considered an aggressive driver.

Officers and Troopers will focus on State Highway 181, State Highway 358 (S.P.I.D) and IH-37 for this campaign. This S.A.D. campaign will last a few days. Other joint campaigns will be planned throughout the year.

Slow down, buckle up and drive safe!

Captain Mark Gutierrez (CCPD) and Corporal Charlie Ramirez (DPS) will be available for the media on Wednesday, Feb 5th, 10:30 a.m. at the Texas Department of Public Safety Main Building.

Suspects Sought in Home Invasion

Date:  February 4, 2014, 01:19am
Location:  2002 Airline Road
Event:  Aggravated Robbery
Case Number:  1402040002

Police were called to the Candlewood Apartments for a home invasion.  Officers contacted a 24-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman who reported three to four men wearing masks kicked in the door and robbed them.  The male resident was assaulted and the money in his wallet taken.  The woman was ordered to lay face down on the bed while they ransacked the apartment.   Shortly thereafter, the suspects fled taking electronic equipment, money, and cell phones.

The duo was ordered to stay inside the bathroom and not to come out.  The woman was uninjured, but the young man sustained minor injuries to his face.  He declined any medical attention.

The suspects are described as three Black males, standing 6′ to 6’5″ feet tall and weighing 200 lbs.  Anyone with any information on this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or submit a tip online at www.888TIPS.com.  Callers will earn a cash reward if the suspects are identified and arrested.

Annabelle Ready for Adoption!


annabelleannabelle1

Corpus Christi Animal Control Officers took possession of “Annabelle”, a brown pitbull mix that was found with an embedded chain around her neck on Saturday morning 02/01/2014 at approximately 10:00am. Annabelle was immediately taken to VCA Oso Vet Clinic and received medical attention.  She was later transferred to Animal Care Services to recuperate.

During Annabelle’s medical examination by VCA veterinarian, Dr. Jennifer Rizzo, she was given a body score of 3 out of 5. According to veterinarian notes and an official letter by Dr.Rizzo, Annabelle had a single laceration circumferentially around 70% of her neck. The wound was 32cm in length. The wound was 1cm deep at its worst point. No vital structures (blood vessels, nerves, trachea, etc) were exposed. Dr. Rizzo documented that the wound was likely infected.

Dr. Rizzo also documented that Annabelle was alert and responsive and had no additional external evidence of disease. She stated that in her professional opinion, based on physical examination of Annabelle, that the wound was not an imminent threat to life. She stated that the wound would need to be treated for infection.

Since Annabelle’s stay at Animal Care Services, she has been found to be a very happy and loving dog, despite her injuries. Often Animal Control Officers witness animals that are chained for extended lengths of time to be socially introverted and fearful. However Annabelle is quite the exception.

Annabelle’s friend, Zeus was also taken from the home in question. Zeus is a healthy and friendly pit bull. Both dogs appear to be adoptable and good candidates for new homes. We invite the general public or rescues to consider adopting one or both of these sweet dogs.

Animal cruelty charges are being pursued on Annabelle’s previous owners.

Veterinarian Letter: Click to Read.  annabellemedical

Prepared by:
Heather Hedrick,
Program Manager
Corpus Christi Animal Care Services & Vector Control
heatherhe@cctexas.com

Major Accident on Hwy 44

Date:  February, 4 2014, 2:57 a.m.
Location:   7600 SH 44 E
Event:  Major Accident
Case Number:  C1400458

Police were called for a major accident on SH 44. Officers arrived and found the driver, a 52-year-old driver of a cement truck, to be uninjured. He stated that as he was driving east in the slow lane and a vehicle cut him off causing him to brake unexpectedly and lose control. The dump truck rolled onto its side (drivers), coming to rest in the middle of both lanes of the highway.

The dump truck was empty but engine fluids were leaking onto the roadway. For the safety of motorists and safety personnel, Hwy 44 was shut down and vehicles were routed onto the access road. The highway was reopened at 5:49 a.m.

No citations were issued.

Missing Person – Sean Yates

Missing Person Sean Yates

The Corpus Christi Police Department Homicide/Robbery Bureau is asking the public’s assistance in locating 35 year old Sean Yates  who was reported missing on January 30, 2014.  Yates was last seen at 902 Airport Road and is in need of his medication.

Sean was last seen wearing a grey shirt, dark jeans and white tennis shoes. He is 5′ 5″ tall and weighs 154 pounds. He has brown hair and blue eyes. He is non-aggressive, likes flashing lights and police officers.

If you have any information or know the whereabouts of Sean Yates please call CCPD’s 911 Metrocom Center. For further information please contact Corpus Christi Police Department Homicide/Robbery Detective R.L. Garcia at 361-886-2850.

City’s First Homicide of 2014

Date:  February 1, 2014, 04:23 a.m.
Location:  4337 S. Padre Island Drive http://goo.gl/maps/sqki1
Event:  Murder
Case Number:  1402010039

Police and Fire were called to the Embassy Suites Hotel for a fight involving injuries.  When Officers arrived they began CPR on a 31-year-old man. CCFD Emergency Personnel transported the man to Doctor’s Regional Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Corpus Christi Police Department Homicide/Robbery Detectives were called to investigate. Christopher Garza (10/22/1982) was arrested and booked into the City Detention Center.  Detectives continue to investigate the case.

Anyone with any information on this crime is asked to call Homicide/Robbery Detectives at 361-886-2841.  If you would like to remain anonymous, please call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or submit a tip online at www.888TIPS.com.  Tipsters will earn a cash reward if the information provided leads to the arrest of the suspect.

Animal Care Services Officers Recover Dog from Bluebonnet Street

Annabelle

Animal Care Services Officers returned to the 3500 block of Bluebonnet Street this morning and recovered the female pit bull mix with a collar partially embedded in its neck. Animal Care Services and Corpus Christi Police Officers had responded to the home Friday afternoon to investigate a complaint of animal cruelty. The dog had been tied to a fence in the back yard of the home. Officers attempted to contact the owners, but were unsuccessful at that time.
ACS transported the dog to a local veterinarian for treatment. Other than the wound in the neck caused by the collar, the dog appears to be in reasonably good health. The dog will be held by ACS until it can be legally adopted. Charges of Animal Cruelty against the dog’s owners are being pursued.

Patrol Report for February 1, 2014

Adam District

Date:  January 31, 2014, 4:34pm
Location:   11325 IH 37 Access http://goo.gl/maps/i6jE8
Event:  Assault
Case Number:  1401310094

Police were called to the apartment complex for a disturbance.  Pale Toa Eva (11/17/76) was arrested for an outstanding Los Angeles County warrant for Assault.  He was also charged with Assault when further investigation revealed he pushed his 34-year-old girlfriend into a wall and threatened her 10-year-old son.

Date: January 31, 2014, 6:46pm
Location:  6100 Old Brownsville   http://goo.gl/maps/qxKy9
Event:  Driving While Intoxicated~Open Container
Case Number:   1401310126/C1400418

Officers responded to a major single vehicle crash. When they arrived they observed a white Chevrolet Cavalier turned upside down in a ditch.  The driver Barnabas Joshua Benavides (04/29/81) was found to be intoxicated and a blood warrant obtained.  Benavides was medically cleared and arrested.  He was charged with Driving While Intoxicated~Open Container.

Bravo District

Date:  January 30, 2014, 3:01pm
Location:  900 Egyptian Drive http://goo.gl/maps/6Y48N
Event:  Scam
Case Number:  1401300093

A 44-year-old man reported to police that he received three phone calls from a “mysterious caller” stating that his brother was being held hostage after being involved in a traffic accident.

The caller wanted $1500 so that the victim’s brother could be released. The caller was clear as to not involving the police. The victim does not have a brother and determined the call was a scam.

Fortunately in this case, the intended victim was suspicious and contacted the Corpus Christi Police Department first.  These scams continue however because many individuals and elderly fall prey to these highly convincing professional criminals.

In many cases when victims learn that they were fooled, they are too embarrassed to tell anyone else. Please take a little time to talk about such scams with your family, church and community groups and remind them not to give out banking, credit card or other personnel information to anyone who calls you over the phone.  There are many resources online to educate folks about what is traditionally known as the “Grandparent Scam”.  The link below is from the US state Department.

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/emergencies/scams/grandparent-scams.html

Please contact Crime Prevention Advisors Cliff Bost (361-886-2669) and Jonie Pettita (36-886-2568) for Personal and Senior Safety presentations.

Charlie District

Date: February 1, 2014, 04:18am
Location:  1900 Tarlton Street http://goo.gl/maps/0Rciw
Event:  Driving While Intoxicated
Case Number:  140201003/C1400424

Police arrested Eduardo Moreno (12/15/76) after he was involved in a traffic accident.  Moreno was driving a black Chevrolet Impala when he lost control of the vehicle and struck a tree in front of 1902 Tarlton Street.  Moreno was administered Standard Field Sobriety Tests and blood draw taken.  He was medically cleared and booked at the City Detention Center.  He was charged with Driving While Intoxicated.

Date:  February 1, 2014, 04:23am
Location:  4337 S. Padre Island Drive http://goo.gl/maps/sqki1
Event:  Murder
Case Number:  1402010039

Police and Fire were called to the Embassy Suites Hotel for a fight involving injuries.  When Officers arrived they began CPR on a 31-year-old man who was taken over by CCFD Emergency Personnel.  The man was rushed to Doctor’s Regional where he was pronounced deceased.

Corpus Christi Police Department Homicide/Robbery Detectives were called to investigate.  At this time, no one has been arrested, but the investigation will continue into the victim’s homicide.  Updates to this homicide will be released as they become available.

Anyone with any information on this crime is asked to call Homicide/Robbery Detectives at 361-886-2841.  If you would like to remain anonymous, please call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or submit a tip online at www.888TIPS.com.  Tipsters will earn a cash reward if the information provided leads to the arrest of the suspect.

Delta District

Date:  February 1, 2014, 12:13am
Location:  705 S. Port Avenue http://goo.gl/maps/TP7Md
Event:   Aggravated Assault
Case Number:  1402010006   

A 38-year-old man was stabbed once in the chest after being involved in a verbal disturbance with another man.  Witness told Police they observed two men arguing in front of Mica’s Bar, but no one witnessed the stabbing.

The victim was uncooperative and would not provide Officers with a description of the suspect.  He was taken to Spohn Memorial  by CCFD Emergency Personnel with non-life threatening injuries.

Date:  January 31, 2014, 11:16pm
Location:  400 S. Shoreline Boulevard http://goo.gl/maps/XJBdT
Event:  Racing on Highway
Case Number:  1401310165

Officer V. Ortiz was patrolling the Down Town area when he observed a black Subaru Impreza, a silver GMC Sierra, and a black Mazda racing down Shoreline Boulevard.   He was able to pull over all three vehicles and arrest the drivers.

Thomas Lee Roe (10/08/91), David Castillo (04/07/95), and Seth Morris (03/25/95) were all booked at the City Detention Center and their vehicles impounded.  The three men were charged with Racing on Highway which is a Class “B” Misdemeanor which is punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Police Want Help From The Public to Catch Robber

Connie Coleman (12/2/1979) wanted for Aggravated Robbery
Connie Coleman (12/2/1979) wanted for Aggravated Robbery

The Corpus Christi Police and the Nueces County Sheriff’s Office are asking for help from the public to locate a fugitive. Police seek 33-year-old Connie Coleman (12/2/1979) who has an active warrant for her arrest for an aggravated robbery which happened July 21, 2013 in Corpus Christi.

Coleman is described as a female with light-colored skin, black hair, brown eyes, and stands about 5 feet 4 inches tall, and weighs about 120 pounds. Coleman has a tattoo on her lower back that reads, “Feed Me” and a tattoo on her right arm that reads, “Randy” and “Ariel.” Coleman’s last known address was at the 9000 block of Leopard Street in Corpus Christi.

Anyone who can help authorities locate Coleman should call Crime Stoppers immediately at 888-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888TIPS.com. If the information leads to an arrest, it could earn the caller a cash reward.

 

Patrol Report January 30, 2014

The Corpus Christi Police Department generated 164 original reports for formal criminal complaints from midnight January 29 to 6:00am January 30, 2014. These are a sample of the criminal complaints filed by the Corpus Christi Police for that time period.

 

“Adam” District

Date: Wednesday, January 29, 2014, 9:00am

Location: 1501 Southern Minerals Road http://goo.gl/maps/1olh8

Offense: Theft of Metal (Penal Code Section 31.03) State Jail Felony

Case Number: 1401290023

A 47-year-old man reported a theft from 1501 Southern Minerals Road to Corpus Christi Police Wednesday morning. The 47-year-old man told Officers some unknown person cut the chain link fence which surrounds the perimeter of the business and stole welding material with a value of about $3,500 dollars.

 

“Bravo” District

Date: Wednesday, January 29, 2014, 11:58am

Location: 1814 Ennis Joslin Road http://goo.gl/maps/QPhHX

Offense: Aggravated Robbery (Penal Code Section 29.03) 1st Degree Felony

Case Number: 1401290048

Corpus Christi Police arrested a man and a woman for aggravated robbery Wednesday at the 1800 block of Ennis Joslin Road. Corpus Christi Police responded to a robbery complaint from a 44-year-old man at 11:58am Wednesday at a hotel on Ennis Joslin Road. The 44-year-old man told Officers he met a woman online on Craigslist and brought her and her friend to the hotel. The 44-year-old man told Officers the man who accompanied the woman he met online displayed a handgun and demanded valuables. The 44-year-old man told Officers he complied with the demand and the man and woman left. Officers searched the area and located the man and woman as they walked on Ennis Joslin. An Officer captured the woman and a civilian bystander helped a second Officer capture the male suspect. Officers discovered evidence of the crime with the man and the woman. Officers arrested 35-year-old Gerardo Gonzalez (8/4/1978) and 24-year-old Leah Walker (11/24/1989). Gonzalez was charged with aggravated robbery and Walker was charged with aggravated robbery, a warrant for her arrest, and fail to identify as a fugitive from justice. Officers returned the valuables to the 44-year-old man and then delivered Gonzalez and Walker to the city detention center.

 

“Charlie” District

Date: Thursday, January 30, 2014, 1:40am

Location: 1400 Buenos Aires Street http://goo.gl/maps/2378A

Offense: Aggravated Robbery (Penal Code Section 29.03) 1st Degree Felony

Case Number: 1401300014

A 21-year-old man reported an aggravated robbery at the 1400 block of Buenos Aires Street to Corpus Christi Police Thursday morning. The 21-year-old man told Officers he met a man online on Facebook and went to Buenos Aires Street to hang out with the man at about 1:30am. The 21-year-old man told Officers he arrived, got out of the vehicle, and the man he met struck him, displayed a pistol, and demanded the cell phone and wallet from the 21-year-old man. The 21-year-old man told Officers he complied with the demand, then went to a nearby store to call Police.

 

“Delta” District

Date: Wednesday, January 29, 2014, 23:22

Location: 2800 Guadalupe Street http://goo.gl/maps/LcIfs

Offense: Tampering With Identifying Numbers on Property (Penal Code Section 31.11) Class A Misdemeanor

Case Number: 1401300001

Corpus Christi Police responded to a single vehicle crash at the 2700 block of Soledad in which the operator of the white 2007 Chevrolet Uplander ran from the van prior to law enforcement arrival. A32 year old man told Officers he is the owner of the van and the van was taken from him by force by a man he knows at the 2800 block of Guadalupe Street. Officers went to the 2800 block of Guadalupe Street and found the 38-year-old suspect identified by the 32-year-old man as the suspect. Officers gathered information from witnesses who saw the man who was involved in the crash, and the 38-year-old man did not match that description of the driver of the van involved in the crash. The Officers did find a pistol with the 38-year-old man and observed the serial number scratched off. The Officers began an investigation for the tampering with the serial number on the firearm and released the 38-year-old man. Officers continue to investigate the robbery complaint from the 32-year-old man in which the van was taken by force. No arrests have been made.

Search the website Crimereports.com to research all reported criminal activity in Corpus Christi. Anyone who knows any additional information about these crimes should contact the Corpus Christi Police Department at 886-2841. 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.

Corpus Christi Police Daily Blotter