Community Outreach, Criminal Investigations Division

Police Host Business Summit To Raise Awareness

Lori Taylor learns personal safety information from Gilbert DeLaPortilla at the Business Summit held at the Del Mar College Center for Economic Development Wednesday

The Corpus Christi police Department hosted a Business Summit Wednesday, September, 19, 2012 at the Del Mar College Center for Economic Development.

The purpose of the event was to raise awareness among business operators of crime trends that relate to financial crimes and scams. Corpus Christi Police Financial Crimes Detective Stacy Bruns said that there is no set profile of a person who chooses to participate in financial crimes. “They can be anybody.” Bruns explained. “They can be a first time offender and decides, for whatever reason, to get into these types of crimes and they don’t fit any profile.”

The Corpus Christi Police Financial Crimes Investigators organized the event and arranged for experts to provide the information in the presentation. The guests included Alan Bligh of the Better Business Bureau to speak about protecting a business against scams. A personal safety presentation was provided by retired San Antonio Police Officer Gilbert DeLaPortilla and counterfeit money awareness was provided by Special Agents of the United States Secret Service.

Detective Bruns said she believes awareness is the best protection from financial crimes. Anyone who missed the summit and is interested in the information provided is encouraged to visit the CCPD Financial Crimes Facebook page.

Criminal Investigations Division, Gang Unit

A 21 year old man was arrested for creating his own money

Detective Colby Burris examines evidence of the counterfeit money operation

Occurred Friday, September 14, 2012, 21:19, 5902 Ayers Street, Forgery, 1209140147

Corpus Christi Police Chief Floyd Simpson consolidated the Gang Unit into the Criminal Investigation Division at the end of May, 2012 to share the investigative resources and speed the sharing of intelligence between these two units. The Investigations Bureau consolidation included a new third assistant chief of police position which is currently held by Assistant Chief Michael Markle.

The Corpus Christi Police Gang Unit went to the Misty Winds housing complex at the 5900 block of Ayers Street to serve an arrest warrant of Sammy Delgado (2/8/1991). Delgado had an arrest warrant for a parole violation. The Gang Unit investigators discovered sheets of printed money and implements of a counterfeit and forgery operation.

Delgado was arrested for the parole violation and then additionally charged with Forgery of a Government Instrument, Fraudulent possession of Identifying Information, Manufacture with Intent Counterfeit Instrument, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. The United States Secret Service will take over the Delgado counterfeit and forgery case for federal prosecution.

The integration and consolidation of gang investigators and detectives has resulted in improved criminal detection and quality prosecutions. This arrest for this subject suspected in printing counterfeit money is an example of the enhanced follow up capabilities of the Gang Unit as a result of this new department realignment.

Delta District

Officer Injured Arresting Wanted Subject

Mathew Tovar


Occurred on 9/19/12, 2:51 a.m.    Resisting Arrest/Assault on Police Officer  3517 Bluebonnet Drive     1209190019/1209190020The homeowner called Police asking for help with her son who was trying to break into her home.  The woman feared her son was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  Upon their arrival, Officers could hear Matthew Tovar (06/09/80) ordering his parents to open the door.

Officers mediated as the family tried to sort out their difficulties, but Tovar refused to find another place to spend the night.   Tovar was found to have an outstanding warrant and was informed he was going to be arrested.

The son asked to go to jail, but quickly changed his mind and began to resist arrest.  During the struggle, Tovar was able to get his arms fee and throw a couple of punches at the Officers.  The punches landed on one of the Officer’s forehead causing a laceration.  As the Officers tried to handcuff Tovar they became surrounded by family members demanding Tovar’s release.  One of the Officers’ fearing the on-looker’s interference activated his radio’s emergency button and Officers rushed to their aid.

Tovar was arrested and charged with two outstanding Municipal Court warrants, Resisting Arrest, and Assault on a Public Servant.

Charlie District

Man Behind Bars over Chicken Craving

Edgar Alvarado Pena


Occurred on 9/19/12, 01:14am  Public Intoxication/Wanted Subject    5701 Everhart   1209190011

Edgar Alvarado Pena’s (10/21/80) plans for a chicken dinner went amiss when he passed out in the drive-through of Popeye’s Chicken.  Police were waved down by a citizen who told them there was a man asleep  at the fast-food place.

Officers woke up Pena  who appeared intoxicated and arrested him.  Pena was booked at the City Detention Center and charged with Public Intoxication and three outstanding Nueces County warrants for Violating Bond Conditions~Dangerous Drugs, Possession of Controlled Substance, and Driving While Intoxicated.  All three warrants had “No Bond” set.

Charlie District

20-Year-Old Caught After Bailing Out of Stolen Car

Lawson Price Jr.

Occurred on 9/18/12, 01:31 am Recovered Stolen Vehicle/Evading Arrest  Elderberry @ White Bird  1209160061 / 1209180005

Senior Officer B. Gaines observed a silver Dodge Magnum driving slowly through a neighborhood and pulled the vehicle over after it rolled through a couple of  stop signs.

The driver Lawson Price Jr. (01/03/92) refused to stop and drove on; bailing out of the vehicle and fleeing on foot.  Shortly thereafter, Officer M. Razzo located Price at Galvan Elementary School and arrested him.

Further investigation revealed Price was driving a stolen vehicle taken the day before from 5410 Wharton Street. The owner of the Magnum told Officers he left the keys in the vehicle and the doors unlocked.

Price was booked at the City Detention Center and charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Evading Arrest.

Delta District

Local Man in Jail, Charged with Possessing Child Pornography

Jesus Orta

Occurred on 9/17/12, 5:23 pm  Possession of Child Pornography  2211 Ruth Street 1209170131

Police were called to the home for a disturbance involving two brothers.  During their investigation, Officers issued a criminal trespass warning to the older brother and asked him to leave the home.  As a result, accusations were made that Jesus Orta (11/11/71) had pornographic material inside the home.

With the assistance of the Criminal Intelligence Unit, Officers were able to locate numerous pornographic images and videos from the property.

Orta was arrested and booked at the City Detention Center.  He was charged with Possession Promotion of Child Pornography which a Second Degree Felony punishable by up to 20 years and a 10,000 fine.  His bond is currently set at $25,000.

Community Outreach

Participate In National Night Out!

Event:  National Night Out

Date of Event:  Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Time: 5 pm to 9 pm

The Corpus Christi Police Department and the Nueces County Sheriff’s Department and other local enforcement agencies will be celebrating the 29th Annual National Night Out on Tuesday, October 2nd from 5 pm to 9 pm.  This event will provide the public with the opportunity to interact with neighbors, police officers and strengthen public awareness in the community.  This in turn will highlight the significant impact National Night Out has made by bridging the gap between law enforcement and the public in our fight against crime and drug prevention. And for those of you who are unable to participate, you can still show your support by maintaining your porch lights lit throughout the evening.

So let’s make the call and register your event with our local coordinator Brenda Moreno at 886-2568 so our department can join in on your festivities.

So let’s do our part in keeping Corpus Christi a safe place.  Thank you for making National Night Out a success over the years.

 

Delta District

Mustang Stolen and Burned

Occurred on 9/17/12, 6:47 pm  Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle/Arson   3333 S. Alameda  1209170137/1209170140

An Officer investigating an abandoned vehicle behind the True Vine Fellowship found a maroon 2012 Mustang with burn damage to the interior of the vehicle. The 34-year-old owner was contacted and he told the Officer he was unaware his Mustang had been stolen.

The Corpus Christi Fire Department Arson Investigators and Corpus Christi Police Department’s Auto Theft Task Force Detectives are working together to solve this crime.

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

Charlie District

Morning Trek Across Freeway Leads Man Straight to Jail

Anthony Daquan Randle

Occurred on 9/17/12, 09:14 am  Evading Arrest 4700 South Padre Island Drive  1209170038

An Officer driving westbound on SH 358 observed a Anthony Randle (11/08/88) run across the freeway, jump the center barrier, and proceed to run across the eastbound.  Randle’s jaunt across the freeway caused several vehicles to swerve and slam on their break to keep from hitting him.

The Officer yelled at Randle to stop, but he continued running towards a nearby shopping center.  Randle attempted to hide in a Subway sandwich shop, but he was unable escape and quickly arrested.

He was booked at the City Detention Center and charged with Evading Arrest and an outstanding Nueces County Warrant for Criminal Trespass.  The warrant’s bond was set at $5,000.

Bravo District, Patrol Division

House Explodes On Gertie Street Monday Afternoon

Occurred Monday, September 17, 2012, 14:54, 4329 Gertie Street, Information, 1209170102

A 63-year-old woman was injured when her home burst in fire on the 4300 block of Gertie Street at 2:54 Monday afternoon.

The 63-year-old woman told emergency responders she lit a cigarette in her living room and the house burst into flames. Emergency crews believe the woman had a natural gas leak that ignited. The house had significant damage from the fire.

Corpus Christi Police blocked traffic on the 4300 block of Gertie at 3:00pm and asked two neighbors to leave their home as a safety precaution.  The house was evaluated by the fire department, the gas department, and Corpus Christi Code Enforcement to determine any danger to the public.

Corpus Christi Police reopened the public rights of way on Gertie Street at 4:20pm to normal traffic. The 63-year-old woman was taken to the hospital by ambulance for treatment of injuries from the fire. No other person was injured.

Corpus Christi Police Daily Blotter