Delta District

Patrol Officers Quickly Catch a Bank Robber

Vernon Nicholas Tolmie

Monday November 19th 10:14am 4400 Ayers Bank Robbery 1211190037

Patrol Officers responded to a bank robbery call where a lone subject with a note had demanded money and was seen leaving on foot. A search of the area revealed clothing matching those worn by the suspect were discarded by a vacant building. K-9 “Kimbo” responded and located additional clothing worn by the suspect. A witness advised that a man was seen running from where the clothing was located to a restaurant across the street. Officers contacted a subject at the restaurant matching the robber’s description. Money was located inside his boot and he was positively identified by a bank clerk as the robber. Vernon Tolmie was arrested for the crime and transported to the City Detention Center.

 

Delta District

Hit & Run Driver Leaves License Plate Behind

Occurred on 11/18/12, 4:34am   Minor Accident  838 Lantana   C1208807

Police were called to an early morning hit and run accident in which a white Ford F250 was traveling northbound on Lantana when it left the roadway.  The truck struck a car port and the two parked vehicles inside.  The truck and driver fled the accident scene, leaving the truck’s license plate behind.  No one inside the home was injured.

Officers did locate the unoccupied pick-up truck in the parking lot of the Sea Breeze Apartments located at 809 Derry.  The vehicle was impounded.

The hit and run investigation remains ongoing and will be conducted by the Traffic Safety Division.  Anyone with any information on this crime is encouraged 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 arrested.

Adam District, Criminal Investigations Division

19-Year-Old Woman Stabbed After Night Out

Occurred on 11/18/12, 04:23am  Aggravated Assault  3700 Mueller  1211180040

A woman was taken to Spohn Memorial after she was stabbed by a heavyset woman following a disturbance.  The suspect known only as “Oso” pulled a knife during the argument and stabbed the victim in the chest and neck. Officers report the victim’s injuries were not life-threatening.

The suspect was able to flee prior to the Officers’ arrival.  The women had been at a bar earlier in the evening, but the motive for the assault is unknown.  She is described as a Black female, 5’4″ to 5’8″ feet tall, and weighing 150 to 180 lbs.

Anyone with any information on this crime is encouraged to call Corpus Christi Homicide/Robbery Detectives at 361-886-2841 or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS.  Tipsters will earn a cash reward if the suspect is arrested.

Delta District

Slipping from the “Dock of the Bay”

Occurred on 11/18/12, 6:57am  Accident     1600 N. Shoreline    C1208809

Police were called to the Barge Dock at 1600 N. Shoreline for a vehicle in the bay.  Upon their arrival, Officers contacted a couple who told them they safely escaped from their white Chevrolet Avalanche when it fell into the bay.

The 26-year-old driver told police he had accidentally stepped on the accelerator causing the Avalanche to go into the water.  The driver and his 25-year-old girlfriend were uninjured.

The Corpus Christi Police Department’s Dive Team was called to assist and recovered the submerged truck.

Criminal Investigations Division

Detectives Seeking to Identify Two Men In Connection with Homicide

On November 18, 2012, at approximately 11:49 p.m., Officers responded to the Stripes Convenience Store at Ayers and Bevecrest for a shooting.

The 21-year-old victim was driven by private vehicle to Spohn South where he was pronounced deceased.  The cause of death is pending the Nueces County Medical Examiner’s ruling, but the death is currently being investigated as a Homicide.

Corpus Christi Homicide/Robbery Detectives are asking the public’s assistance in identifying the two men shown on video in connection with the Homicide.

Anyone with any information on this crime is encouraged to call Corpus Christi Homicide/Robbery Detectives at 361-886-2841 or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS.  Tipsters will earn a cash reward if the suspects are arrested.

Community Outreach, Criminal Investigations Division

Don’t Be Scammed into being a Secret Shopper

With the Holiday Season upon us, the thought of earning a little extra spending sounds like a great idea, but beware when an offer sounds to good to be true.  The Corpus Christi Police Department and the Better Business Bureau is sending out warnings to prevent you falling victim to a Secret Shopper Scam.

Avoid a counterfeit check scam and protect yourself, by asking to be paid by check drawn at a local bank.  Visit the following BBB link for additional information. http://www.bbb.org/blog/2012/11/secret-shopper-job-offer-promises-easy-cash-but-delivers-a-scam/

Community Outreach, Criminal Investigations Division, Delta District

Sharp Dressed Man Scamming People for Tow Truck Money

The Corpus Christi Police Department Financial Crimes Unit would like you to keep an eye out for a “sharp dressed man” attempting to scam money at local hospitals and businesses.  Several victims have reported being asked for money by a well dressed Hispanic male who identifies himself as a pharmaceutical representative working for a local doctor.   The man will tell his potential victims his vehicle needs to be towed and would like to borrow $25 to $40.   He promises to pay the money back and provides the victim with “his” cell phone number.

The man is described as a Hispanic male, 33-42 years of age, 5’7″ to 5’11” feet tall,  and weighing 160 to 180 lbs.  He is also described as well dressed and well spoken.

If you are approached, please understand scam artists are professionals and everyone is a potential victim.  Ask for identification and be cautious of strangers.  To report a scam artist, call the Police Department’s non-emergency number at 361-886-2600.   If you feel your safety is at risk, immediately walk away and dial 911.

Delta District

“Who Needs Enemies with Friends Like This”

Occurred on 11/16/12, 4:45am  Aggravated Robbery   5549 Leopard Street  1211160016

Police were called to the Holiday Inn for a robbery and contacted the 31–year-old victim who told them he’d been robbed by several friends after a night of drinking.

The victim told Officers he along with his friends traveled to the convenience store near Leopard and Port Avenue.  As he exited the pick-up truck, one of his friends pulled a handgun while another friend began hitting him with a baseball bat.  A woman with the two men stole his wallet during the assault.

The three suspects fled in a Ford F-150, leaving the victim behind.   He was medically evaluated by CCFD Emergency Personnel, but reused to be taken to the hospital.

The man was able to provide Officers with his friend’s information and the Criminal Investigations Division will continue the investigation.

Community Outreach

Donors Present “Bears On The Beat” At Police Station

 

Co-chair of the “Bears on the Beat” program, Lulana Cain, places a donated bear next to a Corpus Christi Police patrol car. The bears will be provided to traumatized children to offer comfort.

 

Assistant Chief Mike Markle stands in the center to accept the donated bears with other police officers and the representatives from the Corpus Christi Association who donated the bears in a presentation at the Police Station Thursday morning

 

The Corpus Christi Association of Realtors donated 4000 stuffed animals in their annual “Bears On The Beat” program.

 

The co-chairs of the Bears On The Beat program, Lulana Cain and Chase McRoberts, presented the bears at the Main Police Station at 321 John Sartain Street at 10am. The bears are used by Police Officers and representatives from the Victims Advocacy Center to comfort traumatized children.  The program co-chair, Lulana Cain said she is involved with the program because her daughter was involved in a vehicle crash and was presented a bear for comfort which was a meaningful gesture for her family.

 

The Corpus Christi Association of Realtors held a contest among their member organizations to collect bears for donation. The contest winner, Keller Williams Coastal Bend Realty, received the travelling trophy for their donation of 1.256 bears. The second place winner was Remax Associates with 1,222 donated bears and the third place winner was Caldwell Bankers with 1,000 bears donated.

 

Corpus Christi Police Captain Hollis Bowers (second from right) presented the winners plaques. Program co-chair, Lulana Cain presented the travelling trophy to representatives from Keller Williams Coastal Bend Realty.

 

 

Criminal Investigations Division

Gang Unit Arrests Three Men, Two Known Prison Gang Members

Jonathan Stephen Vasquez
Joshua James Brown
Christopher Reed

Occurred on 11/14/12, 5:41pm  Wanted Gang Members  222 W. Vanderbilt Drive  1211140095

The Corpus Christi Police Department’s Gang Unit’s search for two wanted prison gang members ended when they were found at  222 of W. Vanderbilt, yesterday afternoon.  The two known prison gang affiliates were wanted for their involvement in separate incidences of Family Violence.

Gang Officers had obtained a warrant for Jonathan Vasquez (10/24/85) for Assault and Continuous Violence Against the Family along with a warrant for Burglary with Intent to Commit a Felony.  His bonds totaled $150,000. A misdemeanor warrant was also obtained for Joshua James Brown (08/19/86) for Assault.

When Officers arrived at the residence they obtained a search warrant when they found Brown and Christopher Reed (08/01/80) sitting at a dining room table with almost a pound of Marijuana between them.  The Marijuana along with a half ounce of Cocaine and 1 3/4 ounce of Heroin were also seized.

Vasquez, Brown, and Reed were all arrested and booked at the City Detention Center.  The three men were charged with two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Marijuana. Vasquez and Brown were additionally charged with their outstanding warrants.

The Police Department’s Gang Unit attributes the quick capture of these men to Chief Floyd Simpson’s re-organization of all investigative units under one command allowing them to work closely with one another.  The re-organization and new command structure was one of Chief Simpson’s first goals ensuring similar goals work under the same command.  Gang members are involved in all facets of criminal activity and the Gang Unit will continue to pursue these violent criminals by working in partnership with fellow local Law Enforcement and the Nueces County District Attorney’s Office.

Captain D. Mersing implores family members and friends to help an abused friend or relative by reporting Family Violence.  Please contact our Family Violence Unit to ask for assistance at 361-886-2670.

Corpus Christi Police Daily Blotter