Criminal Investigations Division

Man Robs Bank on Alameda Street

Date: Friday, December 20, 2013, 9:20am
Location: 4145 Alameda Street http://goo.gl/maps/C27Z6
Offense: Robbery
Case Number: 1312200053

Corpus Christi Police are searching for a man who robbed the bank located at 4145 Alameda Street Friday morning.  Corpus Christi Police responded to a complaint of a robbery at 9:20am and learned that a man who wore a camouflage mask, tan jacket, and gray pants, went into the bank while there were no customers inside. The man in the mask then demanded money from the clerk. No weapons were displayed, but the man put money in a shoebox and then walked out of the bank. No injuries were reported. Corpus Christi Police continue to search for the man and have uploaded a video clips of the suspect onto their CorpusChristi PD YouTube account at http://youtu.be/WklrnDK6CTY.

Anyone who knows who is responsible, or has any additional information about this crime should contact the Corpus Christi Police Robbery/Homicide Detectives at 886-2841. Anyone who would like to provide information to Detectives and keep their identity secret can call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the information online at http://www.888TIPS.com. Information  provided to Crime Stoppers which leads to an arrest may earn the caller a cash reward up to $1,000 dollars.

Patrol Division

Patrol Report December 20, 2013

The Corpus Christi Police Department generated 201 original reports for formal criminal complaints from midnight December 19 to 6:30am December 20, 2013. These are a sample of the criminal complaints filed by the Corpus Christi Police for that time period.

“Adam” District

Date: Thursday, December 19, 2013, 7:56am

Location: 13949 Northwest Boulevard http://goo.gl/maps/pVIRr

Offense: Burglary of a Coin Operated Machine (Penal Code Section 31.03) Class A Misdemeanor

Case Number: 1312190024

A 45-year-old man reported to the Corpus Christi Police that an unknown person broke into the drink machines overnight at a car wash located at 13949 Northwest Boulevard.

 

Date: Thursday, December 19, 2013, 22:58

Location: Buddy Lawrence Drive at Nandina Drive http://goo.gl/maps/TKJrE

Offense: Warrant of Arrest (Code of Criminal Procedure Section 15.01)

Case Number: 1312190164

Corpus Christi Police arrested 23-year-old Robert Saldana (1/11/1990) for a warrant for his arrest for theft of a firearm after a Corpus Christi Police Officer stopped Saldana at Buddy Lawrence and Nandina Drive for jaywalking.

“Bravo” District

Date: Thursday, December 19, 2013, 15:13

Location: 900 Hazel Drive http://goo.gl/maps/D44sP

Offense: Warrant of Arrest (Code of Criminal Procedure Section 15.01)

Case Number: 1312190104

Corpus Christi Police arrested 37-year-old Byron Crissman (7/13/1976) Thursday after a search, which included the patrol K9 unit, for a warrant for his arrest for a parole violation for burglary of a habitation. Corpus Christi Police went to Crissman’s residence on the 900 block of Hazel Drive Thursday afternoon because they were aware of the warrant for his arrest. The Officers were told Crissman had left walking and the Officers searched the area until they tracked Crissman to a restaurant located at 6109 McArdle Road. Crissman locked himself in a restroom and snuck out through the ceiling and ran from the Officers. The Corpus Christi Police patrol K9 joined the search until Crissman was located nearby and arrested. Officers then delivered Crissman to the city detention center for the probation violation and for an additional charge of evading arrest.

 

Date: Thursday, December 19, 2013, 23:28

Location: 600 Bel Air Drive http://goo.gl/maps/RrKXg

Offense: Burglary of a Habitation (Penal Code Section 30.02) 2nd Degree Felony

Case Number: 1312190167

A 79-year-old man reported a burglary to his residence at the 600 block of Bel Air Drive Thursday to the Corpus Christi Police. The 79-year-old man told Officers he left his home unattended and locked from 5:50pm until 11:30pm Thursday, and then discovered some unknown person entered his home without permission and took two televisions and a shotgun from inside his home. The 79-year-old man told Officers he believes the person entered the house by breaking a bedroom window to get inside.

“Charlie” District

Date: Thursday, December 19, 2013, 8:44am

Location: 4800 Edith Street http://goo.gl/maps/J7CLI

Offense: Burglary of a Habitation (Penal Code Section 30.02) 2nd Degree Felony

Case Number: 1312190030

A 46-year-old man reported a burglary to his home located at the 4800 block of Edith Street Thursday to the Corpus Christi Police. The 46-year-old told Officers that a man entered his home without permission and took a saw valued at about $1,100 dollars from inside the home. Officers learned from witnesses the identity of the person responsible for the burglary. Officers tracked the suspect and recovered the saw. No arrests have yet been made.

 

Date: Thursday, December 19, 2013, 17:41

Location: 3535 Cottonwood Street http://goo.gl/maps/kPQV1

Offense: Assault on a Public Servant (Penal Code Section 22.01) 3rd Degree Felony

Case Number: 1312190117

Corpus Christi Police arrested 21-year-old Erika Lopez (3/31/1992) for an assault on a public servant Thursday at an apartment complex located at 3535 Cottonwood Street. Corpus Christi Police responded to a complaint of a disturbance and found a 22-year-old man arguing with several people at an apartment. The 22-year-old man told Officers he was there to collect a child as required by a custody agreement. Lopez continued the disturbance and a Corpus Christi Police Officer contacted Lopez to escort her upstairs to gather the child. Lopez swung her elbow to strike the Officer in the chin. Lopez was arrested for the assault and delivered to the city detention center.

“Delta” District

Date: Thursday, December 19, 2013, 9:25am

Location: 1300 Eighteenth Street http://goo.gl/maps/dDdF1

Offense: Burglary of a Building (Penal Code Section 30.02) State Jail Felony

Case Number: 1312190037

Corpus Christi Police arrested 52-year-old Roland Escobar (2/8/1961) for burglary and evading arrest at the 1300 block of Eighteenth Street Thursday. Corpus Christi Police responded to a complaint of a burglary in progress at a building on the 1300 block of Eighteenth Street at 9:25am. Officers arrived and saw Escobar in the progress of the burglary. Escobar ran from the Officers. Escobar kicked open the door to a home on the 1400 block of Eighteenth Street as he fled from Officers; but was chased out of the home by those in the home. Corpus Christi Police Officers captured Escobar and arrested him for Burglary of a Building, Evading Arrest, and Criminal Trespass. Escobar was delivered to the city detention center.

 

Date: Thursday, December 19, 2013, 11:28am

Location: 411 North Shoreline Boulevard http://goo.gl/maps/AGGKB

Offense: Criminal Trespass (Penal Code Section 30.05) Class B Misdemeanor

Case Number: 1312190052

Corpus Christi Police arrested 24-year-old Joe Guzman (8/29/1989) for criminal trespass at a hotel at 411 North Shoreline Boulevard Thursday. Corpus Christi Police responded to a complaint of a person who refused to leave the office at 11:28am. Officers learned that employees demanded Guzman to leave the office after he became an annoyance and even answer the phones when they rang. Officers arrested Guzman for Criminal Trespass and for resisting arrest. Guzman was then delivered to the city detention center.

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.

Community Outreach, Criminal Investigations Division, Patrol Division

Woman Robs Local Credit Union

Date:  December 19, 2013, 4:04pm
Location: 2140 Gollihar Road http://goo.gl/maps/Gra3j
Event: Aggravated Robbery
Case Number: 1312190103

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The Corpus Christi Police Department is asking the public’s assistance to help identify and locate a woman who robbed the Corpus Christi City Employees Credit Union.  Police were told a heavyset woman walked into the bank and handed the teller a note; demanding money.  The suspect was given an undetermined amount of money.

The suspect is described as a heavyset White woman,  40 to 50 years of age,   She was last seen wearing a blue warm-up top, black sweatpants, black shoes, and possibly wearing a dark Red or Auburn wig.  She was also wearing white framed sunglasses.

Anyone who knows any additional information about this crime should contact the Corpus Christi Police Department at 886-2841.   Information about unsolved crimes may be provided to detectives anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888TIPS.com. Information provided to Crime Stoppers which results in an arrest may earn the caller a cash reward.

Community Outreach, Patrol Division, Traffic Safety Division

Intoxicated Assault Warrant Issued for Local Man

Occurred on Date: Thursday, December 05, 2013, 2:10am
Location: Saratoga Boulevard at Staples Street http://goo.gl/maps/pOaEp
Offense: Intoxicated Assault 
Case Number: 1312050015

Zalen Martin Ellison
Zalen Martin Ellison

A 30-year-old man was seriously injured Thursday, December 5, 2013 in a two vehicle accident.  Corpus Christi Police Crash Investigators believe a white GMC Acadia driven by 21-year-old Zalen Martin Ellison entered the intersection when a red light was displayed and struck a green Toyota Prius (Green n Go taxi) driven by the 30-year-old man.

The Acadia and the Prius were only occupied by the drivers. The force of the impact caused the Prius to strike a black 2006 Nissan Altima occupied by five people.

The 30-year-old man was taken to Spohn Memorial with what Officers believe were serious, but non-life threatening injuries. Ellison was also taken to Spohn Memorial with non-life threatening injuries. The five occupants of the Altima did not report any injuries. Both drivers were admitted to the hospital due to their injuries.

Crash Investigators believe alcohol may have been a contributing factor in this crash and continued to investigate. On December 19, 2013, the Traffic and Safety Division secured a felony arrest warrant for Zalen M. Ellison(03/25/92).  He is wanted for Intoxicated Assault with a Vehicle Causing Severe Bodily Injury.  His Bond is set at $50,000. 

Anyone with any information on Ellison’s whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or submit a tip online at www.888TIPS.com.  Tipsters will earn a cash reward if the suspect is found and arrested.

Community Outreach, Criminal Investigations Division

Stripes Robbery Suspects Identity Sought

Occurred on Date:  December 7, 2013, 5:12am
Location: 6901 S. Padre Island Drive http://goo.gl/maps/ApQI8
Event:  Aggravated Robbery
Case Number:  1312070028

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Corpus Christi Police Department Robbery Detectives are asking the public’s assistance to help identify a robbery suspect.  On Saturday, December 07, 2013,  a store clerk reported being robbed at gunpoint.  She told Officers two men walked into the store, pointed a gun at her and took the money from a couple of registers.  The suspects fled with an undetermined amount of money and were last seen fleeing into the Armon Bay Apartment Complex.

The first suspect is described as a thin Hispanic male, 25 to 30 years of age, standing 5’3″ to 5’7″ feet tall, and weighing 140 to 160 lbs.  He was wearing a red hoodie with a white shirt covering his face, blue jeans, and gloves. 

The second suspect is described as a Hispanic male, 5’5″ to 5’9″ and weighing 160 to 180 lbs.  He was wearing a black hoodie and a white shirt or cloth over his face, blue jean shorts, and gloves.

Anyone who knows any additional information about this crime 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 www.888TIPS.com. Information provided to Crime Stoppers which results in an arrest may earn the caller a cash reward.

Charlie District, Community Outreach, Criminal Investigations Division

Photos of Robbery Suspect Released

Occurred on Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2013, 00:57
Location: 4126 Staples Street http://goo.gl/maps/O7E1W
Event:  Aggravated Robbery
Case Number: 1312110005

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Corpus Christi Police Department Robbery Detectives are asking the public’s assistance to help identify a robbery suspect.  On Wednesday, December 11, 2013,  a 23-year-old man reported a robbery at a local fast food restaurant.  He told Officers a man walked into the restaurant and held him up at gunpoint; demanding money from the register.  The suspect left with an undetermined amount and ran to the apartment complex located at 802 Berry Street.

The suspect is described as wearing a red shirt underneath a dark blue sweat shirt with a hood, black warm-up pants with a white stripe on the outside of each leg, black tennis shoes, black and white gloves, and his face was covered with a mask.

Anyone who knows any additional information about this crime 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 www.888TIPS.com. Information provided to Crime Stoppers which results in an arrest may earn the caller a cash reward.

Patrol Division

Patrol Report December 19, 2013

The Corpus Christi Police Department generated 155 original reports for formal criminal complaints from midnight December 18 to 6:30am December 19, 2013. These are a sample of the criminal complaints filed by the Corpus Christi Police for that time period.

 

“Adam” District

Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2013, 11:24am

Location: 3800 Betel Street http://goo.gl/maps/QsU5f

Offense: Possession of a Controlled Substance (Health and Safety Code Section 481.117) 3rd Degree Felony

Case Number: 1312180051

Corpus Christi Police arrested 19-year-old Librado Esquivel (4/22/1994) for possession of a controlled substance at the 3800 block of Betel Street Wednesday night. Corpus Christi Police responded to a complaint of a fight with guns and bats at the 3800 block of Betel Street at 11:24am. Officers found several people involved in an argument, but no person was injured. Officers conducted a search for weapons and discovered contraband which the officers believe is marijuana and prescription medication not prescribed to the person in possession of it. Officers arrested Librado Esquivel and delivered him to the city detention center for Possession of a Controlled Substance.

 

“Bravo” District

Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2013, 7:51am

Location: 7300 Diamond Ridge Drive http://goo.gl/maps/09o9x

Offense: Warrant of Arrest (Code of Criminal Procedure 15.01)

Case Number: 1312180032

Corpus Christi Police arrested 43-year-old John Henry (6/4/1970) for a warrant for his arrest from Mississippi Wednesday at the 7300 block of Diamond Ridge. Corpus Christi Police investigated a theft complaint on the 700 block of Chase Monday and learned that Henry may have been responsible. Officers also learned that Henry had an active felony warrant for his arrest from Mississippi. Officers tracked Henry to his work site and arrested Henry for the warrant for his arrest and then delivered him to the city detention center. Investigation of the theft complaint on Chase Street continues.

 

Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2013, 8:54am

Location: 6500 Yorktown Boulevard http://goo.gl/maps/QFR9H

Offense: Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle (Penal Code Section 31.07) State Jail Felony

Case Number: 1312180034

A 40-year-old man reported several stolen vehicles from a construction site on the 6500 block of Yorktown Boulevard Wednesday to the Corpus Christi Police. The 40-year-old man told Officers an unknown person defeated the gate to a fenced area where vehicles were stored and stole a yellow and black Sperry heavy construction loader valued at $50,000 dollars and a trailer valued at $900 dollars from the site overnight.

 

Date: Thursday, December 19, 2013, 1:52am

Location: 1338 Waldron Road http://goo.gl/maps/xEVdL

Offense: Warrant of Arrest (Code of Criminal Procedure 15.01)

Case Number: 1312190010

Corpus Christi Police arrested 56-year-old Dale Lidy (5/7/1957) for two warrants for his arrest after he was found sleeping in a restroom of a park on Waldron Road. Corpus Christi Police Officers noticed the door to a restroom open at the Parker Park at 1:52am and went inside to investigate. Officers found Lidy asleep on the floor and then learned Lidy had a warrant for his arrest for Possession of Marijuana and for unlawful carrying a weapon. Officers arrested Lidy and then delivered him to the city detention center.

 

“Charlie” District

Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2013, 6:13am

Location: 2900 Santa Sofia Street http://goo.gl/maps/VYnBJ

Offense: Deadly Conduct (Penal Code Section 22.05) 3rd Degree Felony

Case Number: 1312180017

A 35-year-old man reported to Corpus Christi Police that some unknown person discharged a firearm and caused an estimated #3,500 dollars worth of damage to his three vehicles which were parked and unattended on the 2900 block of Santa Sofia Wednesday morning. No injuries were reported and a witness described the suspect vehicle to Corpus Christi Police as a black Cadillac Escalade which drove with its lights off at about 6:00am.

 

Date: Thursday, December 19, 2013, 3:28am

Location: Donegal Drive at Everhart Road http://goo.gl/maps/7v3Jh

Offense: Public Intoxication (Penal Code Section 49.02) Class C Misdemeanor

Case Number: 1312190013

Corpus Christi Police arrested 48-year-old Alvin Villarreal (9/28/1965) for public intoxication at the intersection of Donegal and Everhart Road Thursday morning. Corpus Christi Police responded to the area for a man who laid on a bus bench unconscious. Corpus Christi Fire Department Medical staff determined that the man, Alvin Villarreal, did not have a medical condition, but was intoxicated. Corpus Christi Police Officers arrested Villarreal and delivered him to the city detention center.

 

“Delta” District

Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2013, 16:15

Location: Edwards Street at Lewis Street http://goo.gl/maps/B8oSd

Offense: Prohibited Weapon (Penal Code Section 46.05) Class A Misdemeanor

Case Number: 1312180087

Corpus Christi Police arrested 21-year-old Reynaldo Alvarado (5/18/1992) for possession of a prohibited weapon Wednesday at the intersection of Edwards Street and Lewis Street. Corpus Christi Police responded to a fight complaint in the middle of the street at 4:15pm and discovered one of the men in the fight, Alvarado, used metal knuckles. Officers arrested Alvarado because metal knuckles are a prohibited weapon and then delivered Alvarado to the city detention center.

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.

Criminal Investigations Division

Two Area Women Head to Federal Prison in Home Health Services Conspiracy

contributed by USATXS-Public Affairs Officer Angela Dodge

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas –Debra Jean Velasquez, of Robstown, and Sylvia Salinas Ramirez, of Driscoll, have been ordered to prison in a scheme to defraud the Texas Medicaid program through fraudulent home health billings, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson along with Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott. The woman entered guilty pleas Sept. 4, 2013, to conspiring to submit false and fraudulent bills to the Texas Medicaid Program by wire transmissions as well as wire fraud. 

Today, Senior U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack handed Velasquez, 42, and Ramirez, 52, respective terms of 51 and 41 months in federal prison for wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. In handing down the sentence, Judge Jack noted that the sentence was necessary considering the number of victims, the need to deter future criminal conduct and to protect the public. Both will also be required to serve a term of two years of supervised release following completion of the prison term. 

The two women admitted that from or about Aug. 1, 2009, through on or about June 15, 2010, they were employed by the Corpus Christi office of MRNG Inc. doing business as Caring Touch Home Health. During that time, they conspired to submit false and fraudulent bills through wire transmissions to the Texas Medicaid program and the Medicaid funded managed care organizations known as Evercare of Texas LLC and Superior Health Plan Inc. for home health services that had not been provided. Ramirez and Velasquez admitted they created false and fraudulent time sheets for former Caring Touch employees for home health services that had not been provided and then fraudulently billed Medicaid, Evercare and Superior in the name of Caring Touch for those non-existent services. They sent approximately 562 of those false and fraudulent bills by wire. 

Ramirez and Velasquez also admitted that in order to personally profit from their fraudulent billings, they created phony payroll records from the fraudulent time sheet which they then sent to Caring Touch’s payroll staff. Ramirez and Velasquez then obtained the payroll checks generated from the false and fraudulent time records, forged the signatures of the former Caring Touch employees, then cashed the checks and divided the money among themselves. Caring Touch and the former employees whose names were used on the false time sheets and checks were not accused of any wrongdoing.  

Ramirez and Velasquez admitted that as a result of their false and fraudulent claims, Texas Medicaid, Evercare and Superior paid the approximate aggregate sum of $155,127.72. As part of their pleas, the women have agreed to pay restitution in that amount.  

Previously released on bond, Ramirez and Velasquez were taken into custody following the sentencing today where they will remain pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. 

The charges were the result of a joint investigation conducted by officers and agents of the Corpus Christi Police Department, the FBI, Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General and the Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Special Assistant United States Attorney Rex Beasley and Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery D. Preston are prosecuting the case.

Community Outreach

REACH FOR THE STARRS!!

Wouldn’t you want to be helped if you were in need??
If yes, then let’s pay it forward and REACH FOR THE STARRS!!

Pave Diamond Ring donated by Denny Bales Diamonds for Starrs fundraiser. Ring valued at $11,200
Pave Diamond Ring donated by Denny Bales Diamonds for Starrs fundraiser. Ring valued at $11,200

Join us in lending a helping hand to Ken and Karen Starrs whose house burned down in January of this year.

Karen was seriously burned when she reentered the house in order to rescue their two cats.  Both cats and dogs made it out alive; unfortunately, their beloved bird did not.

Ken and Karen both joined the City of Corpus Christi Police Department in August of 1977.  Captain Starrs retired in January 2004 and Karen, a Crime Prevention Specialist retired in January 2003.

Denny Bales, owner of Denny Bales Diamonds is donating an 18k White Gold custom-made Ladies’ Ring featuring 4.3 Carats in Pave set diamonds with a retail value of $11,200.

This ring can be yours by participating in the fundraising raffle benefitting Ken and Karen Starrs.  The ring will be raffled on Friday, December 20th at 4:00pm.  Our objective is to sell 1000 tickets at $25 for each ticket.  Whenever possible, we would like to sell the tickets in blocks of 10 and as a thank you, you will receive two free raffle tickets.

Tickets may be purchased at Denny Bales Diamonds, 7009 S. Staples Street (361-371-2975) and the Gulf Coast Humane Society, 3118 Cabaniss Parkway (361-225-0845) until Thursday, December 19th at 4:00pm.

Community Outreach, Criminal Investigations Division

Corpus Christi Man Sentenced for Possession of Child Pornography

Contributed by USATXS-Public Affairs Attorney Angela Dodge:

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Rex D. McBride, 44, has been ordered to prison for possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson. McBride pleaded guilty Sept. 18, 2013.

Today, Senior U.S. District Judge John D. Rainey considered the seriousness of the crime and sentenced McBride to a total of 63 months in federal prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release.

On Nov. 12, 2012, Corpus Christi Police Department – Internet Crimes Against Children (CCPD-ICAC) detectives were conducting an undercover investigation into persons trading child pornography on the Gnutella network. At that time, detectives identified an online user, later identified as McBride, who was offering child pornography for distribution. On three occasions in late 2012, detectives successfully downloaded child pornography from McBride.

On March 20, 2013, a search warrant was executed, during which McBride admitted to downloading and viewing child pornography on the Internet through file sharing software. A forensic evaluation of McBride’s computer led to the discovery of nearly 1500 images of child pornography.

Homeland Security Investigations and CCPD-ICAC investigated.

This case, prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lance Duke, was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visitwww.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visitwww.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

Corpus Christi Police Daily Blotter