Bravo District, Traffic Safety Division

Man Arrested For D.W.I. After Traffic Crash Causes Delays On Oso Bridge

Occurred Thursday, September 06, 2012, 13:51, 8700 State Highway 358 at Oso Bridge, Major Vehicle Crash C1206800, & 1209060077

                Thursday afternoon traffic was disrupted for two and a half hours by a major vehicle crash caused by a 35-year-old man arrested for Driving While Intoxicated on South Padre Island Drive at the Oso Bridge.

A black 2007 Ford 500, four door car, was operated by 35-year-old George Crumbock (5/4/1977) on the eastbound lanes of South Padre Island Drive over the Oso Bridge. Crumbock traveled faster than the posted speed limit and swerved through traffic until the car struck the trailer of a work truck from behind.

The trailer was towed by a white 2001 Ford F-150 operated by a 33-year-old man who was taken to Bay Area Hospital by ambulance for minor injuries.

Investigating Corpus Christi Police Officers discovered evidence at the scene that led them to conclude that alcohol was a contributing factor in the cause of the crash. Crumbock was taken to the hospital for a medical evaluation and then arrested for driving while intoxicated. Officers discovered a white crystal powder in Crumbock’s car and additionally charged Crumbock with Possession of a Controlled Substance.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash and no other injuries were reported.

Criminal Investigations Division, Delta District

Police Seek Robber On Hancock Avenue

Occurred Thursday, August 23, 2012, 2:15am, 800 Hancock Avenue, Robbery, 1208230023

                Corpus Christi Police Detectives would like help from the public to identify and locate a man who robbed a woman on August 23, 2012 at the 800 block of Hancock Avenue.

A 24-year-old woman met a man at Vernon’s Bar. The man said his name was Jerry and convinced the woman to provide him a ride home.  The woman slowed the vehicle near the place Jerry said was his home and then Jerry punched the woman in the face several times and took cash from her purse.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic man who wore a white short sleeve t-shirt, jeans, and white shoes.

Anyone with any information that can identify or locate the person responsible for this robbery should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit an online tip at www.888TIPS.com. Tips can also be made by the Tipsubmit mobile app for the iphone and android systems. If the information leads to an arrest, it could earn you a cash reward.

Adam District, Traffic Safety Division

Trucker Loses Load And Causes Traffic Disruption

Occurred Thursday, September 06, 2012, 8:36am, Hwy 358 at Bates Street, Major Traffic Crash C1206786

Thursday morning traffic was disrupted when a semi trailer rolled on its side on North Padre Island Drive near Bates Street.

The white 1999 International Harvester Company truck tractor pulled a 48-year-old trailer through a curve. The 48,000 pound load, held by six 5,000 pound limit straps, shifted and bent the frame of the trailer. The load scraped the asphalt roadway for several feet until the trailer rolled to the side.

No injuries were reported and no other vehicles were involved in the crash. The operator of the truck tractor did not receive a citation for any violations. The road was re-opened for normal use at 10:40am.

Community Outreach

Police Invite Public To Business Summit

The Corpus Christi Police Department will host a business summit Wednesday, September 19, 2012 from 8:00am to noon at the Del Mar College Center for Economic Development located across from Ray high School at 3209 Staples Street.

The purpose of the summit is to build a partnership to protect local businesses. The topics in the summit will include: Protecting your business against scams and social media; Personal safety at home and work; and Counterfeit money and money orders.

Anyone interested to attend this event at no fee should contact Sandra Cantu at (361) 886-2615 or Canyce Hedrick at (361) 886-2844 to reserve a place.

Community Outreach

Police Ceremony Celebrates 9 Promoted To Senior Officer

Newly promoted Senior Officers: Armando Cruz; Lonnie Humitz; Adam Thurman; Alberto Salinas; David Saldana; Curtis Volling; Jose Flores; Armando Vasquez; and Corey Casey.

Nine Corpus Christi Police Officers were promoted to the rank of Senior Officer Thursday, September 06, 2012 in a ceremony with Chief of Police Floyd Simpson at the Corpus Christi Police Headquarters.

The officers successfully completed a proficiency exam on August 14, 2012. The test covered material from publications such as the Corpus Christi Police General Rules Manual, the Texas Criminal and Traffic Laws Manual, The Texas Penal Code, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Texas Family Code, Texas Transportation Code, and the text-book Leadership, Ethics, and Policing for the 21st Century by P.J. Ortmeier and Edwin Meese.

The officers must have attained 60 months of service as a commissioned officer in the Corpus Christi Police Department to be eligible to take the exam. Other requirements to take the exam are that they possess an Intermediate Peace Officer license issued by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education or at least have 60 hours college credit from an accredited college or university.

The Senior Officer exam was graded as an individual pass or fail examination with a minimum score of 70% required to pass the exam.

The Corpus Christi Police Department celebrates the newly promoted Senior Officers: Armando Cruz; Lonnie Humitz; Adam Thurman; Alberto Salinas; David Saldana; Curtis Volling; Jose Flores; Armando Vasquez; and Corey Casey.

Alberto Salinas pins rank onto Senior Officer Adam Thurman
Assistant Chief Mike Markle congratulates Senior Officer Lonnie Humitz

 

 

Charlie District, Traffic Safety Division

Two Killed In Head On Crash On Saratoga Blvd.

Occurred Thursday, September 06, 2012, 2:02am, 5300 Saratoga, Vehicle crash with fatal injuries C1206778

                A 57-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman did not survive a head on vehicle crash on the 5300 block of Saratoga near Montecita Drive at 2:00am Thursday morning.

A 20-year-old man and a 40-year-old man witnessed the crash and told police a white 1998 Ford sport utility vehicle operated by the 25-year-old woman travelled west at a high rate of speed in the eastbound lanes of Saratoga Boulevard. The sport utility vehicle collided head on into a blue Dodge Dakota operated by the 57-year-old man who traveled east in the eastbound lanes.

There were no other occupants in either vehicle. The 5300 block of Saratoga Boulevard is a divided roadway with a concrete center median that separates the eastbound and the westbound traffic. The 57-year-old man died at the scene and the 25-year-old woman was taken to the hospital by ambulance, but later died.

Corpus Christi Police Traffic Crash Investigators continue to investigate to determine the cause of the crash.

Bravo District, Patrol Division

Observant neighbor helps identify possible burglars

September 6, 2012 1:32 am   Burglary Investigation   3100 Catcay   1209060016

Officers were dispatched to Catcay Drive to investigate a theft. Upon arrival they contacted a witness who observed a white SUV driving slowly down the street. The witness said that the vehicle stopped in front of a home and two subjects got out and removed objects from some parked boats.  Officers began to search the area and located the vehicle on the 3000 block of Waldron Road.

A traffic stop was initiated. The Driver Leonard Simmons 10-28-70 had a suspended license and was arrested for that charge. The passenger Gary Lawrence was arrested on an outstanding municipal court warrant.

Officers located two trolling motors, but were unable to contact the owners to confirm the theft. These items were tagged as evidence and detectives will follow up with possible theft charges.

The Corpus Christi police Department would like to remind citizens not to leave valuables in your vehicles. This includes boats which often have expensive equipment and fishing gear left easily accessible to potential thieves.

Bravo District, Patrol Division

Good ‘Ol Fashion Police Work Stops Thief

Occurred Wednesday, September 05, 2012, 11:10am, 14050 South Padre Island Drive, Credit Card Abuse, 1209050039

                A 49-year-old man was arrested Wednesday for using stolen credit cards in Flour Bluff.

A 34-year-old man told Corpus Christi Police that his wallet was stolen from inside his truck while parked and unattended on the naval base yesterday. The 34-year-old man said his credit card was used at a hotel on Padre Island. Corpus Christi Police Officer Dean Mays went to the hotel, but the person that used the card was no longer there.

Senior Officer Mays then investigated further and discovered the card was used at several other locations in Flour Bluff including the Stripes store, Whataburger, Auto Zone, and other stores. Senior Officer Mays went to the several stores and viewed the store video records and obtained images of the suspect and the vehicle the suspect used to drive to the stores.

Senior Officer Mays broadcast the suspect vehicle description, a red Ford Explorer with a tire strapped on top, and Lieutenant Tom Nichols found the vehicle at Waldron and South Padre Island Drive. Lieutenant Nichols recognized the operator of the vehicle as 49-year-old Michael Wright (6/20/1963) and knew Wright did not have a valid driver’s license. Lieutenant Nichols initiated a traffic stop and investigated the claim of credit card abuse. Wright was arrested after a short investigation for Driving While License Suspended, No Insurance, and for the credit card abuse.

Community Outreach

Police Search For Missing Disabled Man

David Mark Garcia
Missing Disabled Person

Corpus Christi Police would like help from the public to find a missing disabled person from Harlingen, 52-year-old David Mark Garcia. He was last seen in Corpus Christi the weekend of August 25, 2012 at the Exxon Station at Morgan and Crosstown. Garcia has medical problems and stumbles while he walks. Garcia may hang around the bus station.

If anyone sees David Mark Garcia, call Corpus Christi Police at 886-2600. Garcia’s family are worried and would like to find him soon.

 

Delta District, Patrol Division

Restaurant Employees Stop Thief On Downtown Crime Spree

Occurred Tuesday, September 4, 2012, 14:05, 309 Interstate Highway 37, Robbery and Theft 1209040083, 1209040104

                An 18 year old woman was arrested for stealing at the Burger King on IH 37 at Chaparral Tuesday afternoon after employees caught the woman and detained her for police.

The 55-year-old manager of the Burger King found 18-year-old Deserae Garza (9/26/1993) in the back of the kitchen at 2:00pm. Garza was not an employee and the store manager quickly discovered that Garza had stolen money from a prepared register drawer in the store office.

The manager held Garza in place until Corpus Christi Police Arrived. It was discovered that Garza had stolen valuables from customer’s purses hanging on chairs in the restaurant. The valuables were returned to the customers.

Corpus Christi Police also discovered that Garza had stolen cash, an iphone, and an ipad from the place in which she applied for employment earlier in the day on the 400 block of Mann Street.

Garza was arrested for robbery, two thefts, and possession of dangerous drugs and then delivered to the city detention center.

Corpus Christi Police Daily Blotter