Traffic Safety Division

Police Arrest Man For Hit & Run Crash on Ayers

Corpus Christi Police Traffic Detectives arrested 39-year-old Eric Daniel Acevedo (7/28/1973) Wednesday afternoon at his place of employment for a warrant for the arrest of Acevedo for a hit and run crash on Ayers Street on March 3, 2013.

Corpus Christi Police Commander John Houston said three detectives were assigned to work the case day and night until the suspect was apprehended. Acevedo was arrested for the charge of Accident Involving Injury or Death and the bond for Acevedo was set by the judge for $1 million dollars.

The Texas Transportation Code section 550.023 requires an operator of a vehicle to stop and render aid to an injured person when they are involved in a vehicle crash. Acevedo is accused of failing to comply with the duty to stop and render aid in relation to the crash on March 3, 2013 on the 4600 block of Ayers Street.

Although an arrest has been made in this case, Police Detectives encourage anyone with any additional information about this event to provide that information to the Corpus Christi Police Traffic Safety Section.

Date: March 13, 2013 12:45pm

                Offense: Accident Involving Injury or Death

                Case #1303030032

Bravo District, Patrol Division

Man Fights With Police and Injures Officer On Lovebird Street

A 36-year-old man was arrested for 5 criminal charges Wednesday morning after he fought with a Corpus Christi Police Officer on the 9500 block of Lovebird Street.

Corpus Christi Police investigated a residential burglary on the 900 block of Ribbontail Street Wednesday morning in which the suspect fled from police. A Corpus Christi Police Officer drove through the area for a last time before the end of his shift at about 6:30am and saw 36-year-old Thomas Garcia (3/5/1977) between two houses on the 9500 block of Lovebird Street.

The Officer got out of his patrol car and demanded Garcia to surrender. Garcia charged the Officer aggressively and the officer used the electronic control device to safely apprehend Garcia. There was a mechanical malfunction with the device and Garcia ran from the Officer.

The Officer chased Garcia and the two dropped to the ground while Garcia struggled with the Officer. Garcia grabbed the Officers service pistol on the Officers belt and attempted to disarm the Officer. The Officer kept control of his pistol and used the electronic control device to attempt to achieve compliance from Garcia. Garcia attempted to take the electronic control device from the Officer and then bit the Officer.

A civilian emerged from a house and asked to help the Officer while Garcia fought with the Officer. The Officer accepted the help and the two struggled with Garcia until other Corpus Christi Police Officers arrived to force Garcia into handcuffs.

Garcia was taken to the hospital for a medical evaluation and then delivered to the city detention center. The Officer was treated for the bite and other minor injuries and released from the hospital.

Garcia was arrested for Assault on a Public Servant (3rd degree felony); Attempting to take a weapon from a Police Officer (3rd degree felony); Resisting arrest (Class A misdemeanor); Evading arrest (Class A misdemeanor); and Fail to Identify (Class C misdemeanor).

Officers are thankful for the help from the civilian and recommend anyone who may help a Police Officer in a struggle should first ask to provide the help as did happened in this event.

Date: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 6:30am

Location: 9500 Lovebird Street http://goo.gl/maps/n8h0J

Offense: Assault on a Public Servant

Case Number: 1303130026

Charlie District, Criminal Investigations Division

Police Investigate Money Bag Taken From Shopping Cart On SPID

Police Would like to identify and speak to this man who returned the cart and checkbook to Wal-Mart staff on February 21, 2013.
Police Would like to identify and speak to this man who returned the cart and checkbook to Wal-Mart staff on February 21, 2013.

The Corpus Christi Police Property Crimes Detectives would like help from the public in the investigation of a theft at the Wal-Mart on S.P.I.D. near Greenwood which occurred Thursday, February 21, 2013 at 1:10pm.

A 61-year-old man mistakenly left a commercial checkbook and a bag with cash in a shopping cart in the parking lot after he had loaded his vehicle and left the area. The 61-year-old man returned later and spoke to the store staff about the mistake. The store staff did receive the checkbook from a man, but not the bag with cash. Store staff and Police Detectives have video of the event.

Corpus Christi Police now would like to speak to the man who returned the checkbook for additional information about this event.

Anyone with any information about this event should call the Corpus Christi Police Property Crimes Detectives at 886-2841.

Date: February 21. 2013

Time: 1:10pm

Location: 1821 South Padre Island Drive http://goo.gl/maps/gOecB

Offense: Theft

Case Number: 1302220073

 

Delta District, Patrol Division

Detectives Seek Assistance in Pizza Store Robbery

Domino's Agg Robbery 1303120159
Domino’s Agg Robbery 1303120159
Officers were dispatched to the Domino’s Pizza for an aggravated robbery. The suspect walked into the Domino’s, displayed a handgun and demanded money. Witnesses described the suspect as a Hispanic male, about 5’6″to 5’8″ in height and approximately 130 pounds. The subject was wearing a mask during the robbery along with a long sleeve dark shirt and dark colored shorts. The suspect fled on foot towards Del Mar College.

 Date: 3.12.13

Time: 10:58 p.m.

Offense: Aggravated Robbery

Location: 2749 S. Staples http://goo.gl/maps/FpCte

Case Number: 1303120159

Community Outreach

At Risk Pooch Soars to New Life in Houston

Gucci and her rescue pilot, Wade Roberts of Pearland, Tx.
Gucci and her rescue pilot, Wade Roberts of Pearland, Tx.

A nine-year old canine whose future once looked bleak enjoyed a first class flight to Houston Tuesday afternoon, thanks to an enterprising Corpus Christi Animal Control Officer and a non-profit animal rescue network called “Pilots N Paws”.

The dog named “Gucci” arrived at the Corpus Christi Animal Shelter last Thursday when her owner surrendered her.  Gucci’s owner was forced to make the difficult decision to surrender her when apartment management informed the pet’s owner that she was only allowed two pets; Gucci sadly became the odd dog out.

When Gucci tested positive for heartworms the next day, Animal Control Officer James Matt Ray realized that placing her for adoption would be difficult due to her age and health issues.   Ray quickly went into action and found an animal rescue group called PugHearts of Houston that specializes in rescuing that particular breed.  Ray contacted the group and they agreed to rescue Gucci, but there was still the problem of how to get her to Houston.  Undaunted, Ray continued to search the internet and found “Pilots N Paws”, a non-profit website that serves as a meeting place for those who rescue, shelter or foster animals, and volunteer pilots willing to assist with the transportation of at-risk animals.

Pilots N Paws was founded in 2008 by animal-lover Debi Boies and pilot Jon Wehrenberg. The idea first took flight when Jon agreed to help Debi by flying a rescued Doberman from Florida to South Carolina. The trip was a success and the two brainstormed on how to rescue other animals.  As a result of their collaboration,  the website, http://www.pilotsnpaws.org was soon launched. Today the organization has 3,168 pilot volunteers and 10,551 volunteers responsible for saving thousands of animals each year.

Through the website Officer Ray contacted Wade Roberts, a pilot from Pearland, Texas, who agreed to pick up Gucci and fly her back to Houston.  ACO Ray met Roberts Tuesday morning at a small airport in Port Aransas and by 11:30 am Gucci was on her way to a new life in Houston-all thanks to a caring pilot and the Animal Control Officer who went beyond the call of duty to save her.

Gucci soars off to new life in Houston, thanks to Pilots N Paws, PugHearts of Houston, and ACO James Matt Ray.
Gucci soars off to new life in Houston, thanks to Pilots N Paws, PugHearts of Houston, and ACO James Matt Ray.
Criminal Investigations Division

Police Investigate Crime Spree Which Affected At Least 103 People In Corpus Christi

Police want the owner of these medals awarded to DJ Galvan to call the Corpus Christi Police Auto Theft Task Force
Police want the owner of these medals awarded to DJ Galvan to call the Corpus Christi Police Auto Theft Task Force

The Texas Department of Public Safety arrested the two suspects for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle on March 4, 2013. The Texas Department of Public Safety discovered other stolen property in their investigation and then requested the Corpus Christi Police Auto Theft Task Force to provide assistance. The Corpus Christi Police Department is currently investigating the two individuals responsible for the crimes which affected 103 victims in Corpus Christi that began in middle January and ended March 4th.

The two suspects began their crime spree in middle January and are identified as responsible for 3 stolen vehicles, 43 burglaries to motor vehicles, 4 residential burglaries, and 1 theft which in all affected 103 victims. The two people also collected identifying information to open lines of credit which is under investigation by the Corpus Christi Police Financial Crimes Detectives.

Detectives are seeking victims of this series of crimes. Detectives have property which needs to be claimed by victims such as a box of 1980’s track medals from Sinton High School awarded to DJ Galvan. Detectives would like to return the property to the rightful owner and to facilitate successful prosecution for the suspects in this series of crimes.

Individual victims are being contacted as Detectives come across their property. Should you have any information about some of the pictured property, you are asked to contact the Corpus Christi Police Auto Theft Task Force and speak to Detective Mendez at 886-2841.

Community Outreach

Police Remember Fallen Lieutenant Stuart Alexander

Alexander 8X10

The Corpus Christi Police Department remembers fallen officer, Lieutenant Stuart J. Alexander who was killed in the line of duty March 11, 2009. A Corpus Christi Police Patrol Officer initiated a traffic stop and the violator attacked and physically assaulted the officer. The violator fled from the traffic stop and scene of the assault of the police officer in a vehicle. The violator used the vehicle as a weapon against responding officers and rammed several pursuing patrol vehicles.

Lieutenant Alexander positioned himself on the grass median on State Highway 358 near Agnes for road spike deployment. The violator abruptly swerved and intentionally struck Lieutenant Alexander.

The suspect continued to use his vehicle as a weapon against officers until he was shot by Corpus Christi Police Officers and arrested.

Lieutenant Stuart Alexander was 47 years old, a 20 year veteran of the Corpus Christi Police Department and is survived by his wife, his son, and three grandchildren.

Bravo District

Felon Charged with Possessing a Handgun

RogelioAguilarOccurred on 3/11/13, 2:11am   Unlawful Carrying of Firearm   5820 S. Staples Street  1303110018

Lt. J. Lerma arrived at Club Toxic to assist with bar closing when he observed a couple of men fighting in the parking lot.   As the he grabbed one of the men he saw Rogelio Aguilar (08/04/82) walking towards him from between two parked cars. Aguilar reached underneath his shirt and pulled a gun from his waistband.

Upon seeing the Officer, Aguilar turned away and walked to a nearby vehicle and hid the handgun.  Lt. Lerma let go of the man involved in the fight and ran after Aguilar who was arrested and booked at the City Detention Center.  He was charged with Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon by a Felon and an outstanding Municipal Court citation.

The weapon was tagged as evidence along with a couple of baggies of Marijuana found inside the vehicle.

Charlie District

Suspect Sought in Robbery of Local Pharmacy

Occurred on 3/7/13, 9:00pm Aggravated Robbery 3205 S. Alameda 1303070166

Police were called to the CVS Pharmacy 3205 S. Alameda for an armed robbery. Upon their arrival, Officers were told by a store employee that a man walked up to the counter and demanded money at knifepoint. The clerk complied and gave the man an undetermined amount of money.

The man fled westbound on Glazebrook from the pharmacy. He was described as a 20 to 30 year-old Hispanic male and was last seen wearing a black hat and sunglasses, a gray hoodie, gray shorts, and red reflective tennis shoes.

Anyone with any information of this crime is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or submit a tip online at www.888TIPS.com. Callers will earn a cash reward if the suspect is arrested.

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Bravo District, Criminal Investigations Division

Identity Sought of “Sharp Dressed Man”

http://youtu.be/0LiA7wPD3fc

Occurred on 3/5/13, 3:41pm  Burglary of a Building  8033 S. Padre Island Drive  1303050095

Corpus Christi Property Crimes Detectives are asking the public’s assistance in identifying a man who burglarized the Harbour Landing Apartment complex office.  Surveillance video shows the man removing mail through the mail slot of the front office.

The suspect is described as a 25 to 40-year-old Black man who wore dress pants and a long-sleeved shirt when he committed the burglary.

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.   Tipsters will be paid a cash reward if the suspect is arrested.

Corpus Christi Police Daily Blotter