Senior Officer Vicente Ortiz Jr. served with the Corpus Christi Police Department for 15 years. Vicente began his career in 2009 as a cadet in the 68th Police Academy. Immediately following graduation, he served in the Uniform Division as a patrol officer. In 2014, Vicente received the Life Saving Ribbon for saving his father’s life. His father collapsed due to having a heart attack, and Vicente immediately began CPR, which doctor’s credited Vicente’s immediate actions to saving his life. Later in 2014, Vicente was promoted to the rank of Senior Officer. In 2015, Vicente was commended by an employee of the Alabama Bureau of Investigations for his professionalism on duty. Vicente was awarded his second Life Saving Ribbon in 2016. Vicente saved the life of a person in crisis who was actively attempting to commit suicide. In 2017, Vicente received a Letter of Recognition for his proactive work of taking three firearms off the street in a matter of weeks. It was during this same time, he was chosen to be a Field Training Officer (FTO). Field Training Officers train and mentor recruit officers, and act as supervisors, counselors, supporters, and role models. Officers, throughout their career, will often return to their former FTO’s for guidance and support throughout their career. In 2018, Vicente was transferred to the Traffic Division and initially worked in a traffic car. Vicente then completed the rigorous two-week motorcycle certification course through Northwestern Center for Public Safety. He then served in the Motor Unit in the Traffic Division. In 2022, he was commended by the United States Secret Service for his contributions to a major operation involving former President Donald Trump. Vicente was loved and respected by everyone at the Corpus Christi Police Department and will be dearly missed.

In regard to the ongoing investigation into the mysterious disappearance of Texas A&M Corpus Christi student Caleb Harris, Detectives with the Corpus Christi Police Department are aware of some recent activity on Harris’s cell phone that has caught the attention of concerned individuals following this case online and through social media.  Although this activity may give the impression that Caleb has re-activated his cell phone, Detectives are supremely confident that this is not the case, but instead it is simply the result of one of many investigative techniques currently being employed by the Forensic Computer Examiners.  Corpus Christi Police Department Detectives, along with their state and federal partners, continue to aggressively investigate Caleb’s disappearance.    

If you have information regarding the disappearance of Caleb Harris, please contact the Corpus Christi Police Department at (361) 826-2840 or you can submit an anonymous tip at Crime Stoppers 888-TIPS (888-8477).  The tipline number set up by the Harris family is (361) 826-2950.  

On June 2, 2024, at about 2:18 AM officers were dispatched to the 500 block of Taylor St in reference to a stabbing. When officers arrived, they located a 26-year-old male victim. He was transported to a local hospital by medics. The male later succumbed to his injuries.

The scene was secured, and Robbery Homicide Detectives were called out to assist.

During this time officers began to contact witnesses. As officers were checking the surrounding area, they located an involved male a few blocks away. This male had non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Once he was medically cleared, he was taken to the CCPD main station for interviewing.

The male was identified as Ruben Castro Jr. (26 YOA). After interviewing, Castro was transported to the City Detention Center where he was booked and charged with Murder.

This is still an ongoing and active investigation. If you have any additional information you are asked to call Investigators at 361-886-2840, or if you wish to remain anonymous 888-TIPS.  

It is with tremendous sorrow that we inform the community of the passing of Senior Officer Vicente Ortiz.

Senior Officer Ortiz sustained injuries in the line of duty on May 21, 2024, while working a Motor Escort. We mourn the loss of a great husband, father, brother, friend, and co-worker.

Senior Officer Ortiz Served with the department for 15 years.

Please keep Senior Officer Ortiz and his family in your prayers.

The auction for June 1, 2024, has been POSTPONED.

Next scheduled auction will be July 6, 2024.

Visit https://siskauction.hibid.com/ for further information.

On Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 5:10 hours, officers with the Corpus Christi Police Department responded to a shooting call on the 4000 block of Gloria Street.  Upon arrival, officers located a deceased juvenile male (13 years old) who had suffered a gunshot wound. 

Nicholas Hernandez (17 years of age) was arrested for murder and is being held on a $750,000.00 bond.

This is an active investigation, if you have any information, please contact detectives at 361-886-2840 or if you wish to remain anonymous, 888-TIPS.  

An anti-prostitution sting conducted by the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division Wednesday afternoon resulted in the apprehension of seven men on charges of solicitation of prostitution, a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in state jail and fines up to $10,000. The men were arrested after they solicited an undercover CCPD Officer, posing as a prostitute, for sex acts in exchange for money. The operation targeted several north and west side neighborhoods plagued by prostitution. The operation was slightly hampered by an unidentified woman who began warning prospective “clients” that the women posing as prostitutes were actually undercover police officers. Nevertheless, the operation was quite successful.

NVID Detectives were assisted in the operation by Directed Patrol and Operations Division Officers, as well as civilians with the Red Cord Initiative. The Red Cord Initiative is a prostitution diversion program aimed to provide practical and emotional support for those involved in prostitution. The program is successful due to the collaboration between the Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation, social service organizations, Nueces County District Attorney Office, and the Corpus Christi Police Department. The program affords those involved with sex work an opportunity to address the myriad of behavioral, social, and psychological problems they have faced throughout their lifetime. Since 2013, Red Cord has provided case management, health services, job training, substance abuse treatment, clothing, housing, counseling, and other social services needed to address the circumstances related to their involvement in prostitution. Participants who successfully complete the program have their cases dismissed by the District Attorney’s Office.

All seven of the men apprehended during Wednesday’s operation agreed to attend a voluntary prostitution diversion education program at their expense. This program educates men about the negative consequences of prostitution, circumstances that may lead someone to purchase sex, and the impact they have on the individual they attempt to solicit sex from in exchange for money. The fees raised from this program are then used to provide some of the resources mentioned above, to assist women seeking to escape the bondage of prostitution. The Red Cord initiative receives no government funding and is supported entirely through donations. To learn more, volunteer or donate, citizens can visit the Coastal Bend Wellness foundation at http://www.cbwellness.org.

Although often inaccurately referred to as a “victimless” crime, prostitution is inextricably linked to multiple other crimes including assault, human trafficking, sexual abuse, drug abuse, and the spread of sexually transmitted infectious disease. Neighborhoods where prostitution is prevalent experience a drastic degradation of the quality of life that citizens expect and deserve. The Corpus Christi Police Department will continue to collaborate with all government and private entities to combat prostitution and help accomplish our mission of working with the community to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and enhance public safety.

On Thursday May 23, 2024, at approximately 03:05 AM, Corpus Christi Police Officers were dispatched to the 700 block of Lansdown Dr in reference to a shooting call. Upon arrival, officers located a 24-year-old male victim with a gunshot wound to the torso. The male was transported to a local hospital where he has since passed from his injuries. The preliminary information at this time is there was a disturbance that escalated into a shooting. 30-year-old Ashlyn Orr was arrested and booked in the city detention center. Orr will be charged with murder.  

This is an active investigation, if you have any information, please contact detectives at 361-886-2840 or if you wish to remain anonymous, 888-TIPS.

On Monday May 20, 2023 at 12:04PM, Corpus Christi Police Officers were called to 1400 N Shoreline Blvd in reference to a body located in the water.

After conducting a preliminary investigation, detectives believe there to be no foul play. This is an on-going investigation at this time. 

68A inspections for Tuesday, May 7, 2024, have been cancelled.