Delta District

Knife Wielding Masked Man Robs Store, Clerk Uninjured

  

Occurred on 8/31/12, 5:46 am Aggravated Robbery  3102 Ayers 1208310031

Officers were dispatched to the Stripes Convenience Store and contacted the store clerk who reported she was robbed. The clerk told Officers she was mopping the floor when a man walked into the store “brandishing” a knife and demanding the money from the cash register.

The 57-year-old clerk was trying to comply with his demands, but the man kept swinging the knife at her. Fearing for her safety, the clerk grabbd a wet floor sign and swung it at the suspect. The suspect was able to knock the sign away and take an undetermined amount of money.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, 5’4″ to 5’6″ feet tall, and weighing 160-180 lbs. He was last seen wearing a blue baseball cap, a white shirt with thin blue stripes, and checkered shorts.

Anyone with any information on this crime encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or submit a tip online at http://www.888TIPS.com. Callers will earn a cash reward.

Criminal Investigations Division, Patrol Division

Auto Burglars Use Stolen Credit Cards

Occurred Thursday, August 16, 2012, 19:00, Burglary from a Vehicle, Credit Card Abuse 1208160155

The Corpus Christi Police Financial Crimes Investigators would like help from the public to identify and locate the individuals involved in credit card abuse.

The Detectives released pictures of four individuals that have bought merchandise with several credit cards that were stolen from several vehicles. The four suspects in these crimes are two men and two women.

The credit cards taken from two cars in Annaville were used at the Wal-Mart at Greenwood and then in several stores on the way out to Padre Island. Police Patrol Officers have collected some of the stolen credit cards on the south side of Corpus Christi.

Anyone with any information about these crimes should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit tips online at www.888TIPS.com.

Corpus Christi Police encourage everyone not to leave anything of value in an unoccupied vehicle.

        

 

Adam District, Traffic Safety Division

Crash Disrupts Lunch Time Traffic On Freeway

Occurred Thursday, August 30, 2012, 11:25am, 1500 State Highway 358 northbound at Agnes Street, Major Vehicle Crash, C1206584

A traffic crash disrupted lunch time traffic on North Padre Island Drive at Agnes Thursday. Minor injuries were reported after the front axle was torn from a truck.

A white Ford F-150 pickup changed lanes when unsafe in front of a white 2001 International Harvester Scout commercial vehicle. The Scout truck braked and turned into the concrete divider on the freeway which caused the front axle to tear from the truck.

Each of the trucks had only the operator as occupants with no passengers. Minor injuries were reported.

A third vehicle, a white 2000 Nissan Maxima four door car with 3 occupants, struck the truck that hit the retaining wall.

The White Ford F-150 left the scene without providing information as required. Police Crash Investigators request the public call 886-2690 with any information that can identify or locate the operator of the F-150.

Charlie District, Criminal Investigations Division, Delta District, Patrol Division

Family Member Finds Missing 12 Year Old Child

Occurred Thursday, August 30, 2012, 11:57am, 1200 South Port Returned Missing Child 1208280161

Cameron Hernandez, the 12-year-old child girl reported missing since Tuesday, was found by her aunt at the 1200 block of South Port Avenue Thursday at noon.

The aunt posted flyers after she heard tips from the public that the 12-year-old girl was sighted in the area of Port and Morgan. The aunt then saw the 12-year-old girl walk in the area and then phoned police.

The 12-year-old is safe and taken to Driscoll Children’s Hospital as a precaution. The family has been notified and is with the child. Detectives continue to investigate this event and have not provided any conclusion other than the child is safe.

The Corpus Christi Police Department thanks the public for the information provided to locate the child.

Adam District, Patrol Division

Wanted Felon Arrested Eating Dinner When Recognized By Off Duty Police Officer

Occurred Wednesday, August 29, 2012, 22:00 10514 Leopard Street Warrant Service 1208290142

A known gang member was arrested after he was recognized by an off duty Peace Officer eating dinner at a restaurant Wednesday night.

Corpus Christi Police were called to Big Sam’s at 10:00 pm to serve a warrant for arrest on a known gang member, 48-year-old Felix Zapata Jr. (8/17/1964) who was identified as likely armed and dangerous. An off duty peace officer recognized Zapata when the officer had dinner at the restaurant. The officer knew Zapata had an active arrant for arrest and called police to effect the arrest.

Zapata had warrants for his arrest for a parole violation for Possession of Cocaine and a felony warrant for failure to appear for court. Officers found in Zapata’s pants pockets several sandwich bags that contained a white powder believed to be cocaine.

Zapata was delivered to the city detention center for the two warrants for arrest and a charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Charlie District, Patrol Division

Man Shocked After His Entry To Club Was Refused

Occurred Wednesday, August 29, 2012, 1:56am, 4653 Everhart Road, Public Intoxication 1208290008

A 21-year-old man was arrested for public intoxication when he refused to leave a night club and then he fought with police officers.

Two Corpus Christi Police Officers refused to allow 21-year-old Anthony Parker (10/29/1990) to enter a night club near closing time because the officers recognized Parker was intoxicated. Parker yelled at the officers and argued that the officers have no authority to tell him he was drunk. Parker then took an aggressive stance and balled his fists which prompted the officers to decide Parker must be arrested for public intoxication to prevent any injury to anyone.

The officers told Parker he was under arrest and attempted to place Parkers hands behind his back to apply handcuffs. Parker struggled with officers until Parker was exposed to the Taser electronic control device.

Parker then complied with officers instructions and was taken to the city detention center.

Bravo District, Criminal Investigations Division

Suspect in Several Auto Burglaries Arrested

On 8/28/12, Officers responded to an auto burglary at Seaside Villa Apartment, 1011 Ennis Joslin in which a black Ford pick-up truck was used as the getaway vehicle.  The victim reported a cd player was taken from a Mercury Mountaineer.  On 8/23/12, a blue Mitsubishi Eclipse was also burglarized; taken was a backpack and cosmetology kit.

The Police Department’s Auto Theft Task Force was able to explore all criminal activity involving the same vehicle and identify two suspects.  ATTF Detectives were able to link Robert Benavidez (03/23/92) and his girlfriend to the multiple burglaries throughout the city.

Benavidez was arrested at 1122 Shiels by Corpus Christi Police and the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Fugitive Task Force.  He was charged with the outstanding Parole Warrant for Possession of Controlled Substance and Resisting Arrest.  The case is ongoing and the Benavidez could face additional charges.

Charlie District, Patrol Division, Traffic Safety Division

Gas Leak Stops Traffic On Staples Street

 

Occurred Wednesday, August 29, 2012, 14:33, 3800 Staples Street, Traffic disruption

Staples Street from Dody Street to Coral Place was closed to traffic and residents were asked to shelter in place Wednesday afternoon to protect everyone from injury as a result of a gas leak.
Corpus Christi city resources including the Corpus Christi Police Department were summoned to the 1000 block of Hamlin Street at 2:33pm Wednesday afternoon because a two-inch gas line was punctured by a digging crew. Hamlin Middle School, Wilson Elementary School, and area residents were immediately asked to shelter in place. The shelter request was lifted for those up wind when the risk was evaluated. The schools dismissed on time.
Some residents on the 1000 block of driftwood were evacuated as a precaution. No injuries were reported. The gas leak was stopped at 4:23pm and Staples Street was re-opened while city crews worked to repair damaged pipes.

Bravo District, Community Outreach, Patrol Division

Corpus Christi Police Start Marine Safety Patrol

 

Corpus Christi Police Officers Jon McGinley (left) and Josh Swain (right) now serve as Marine Safety Enforcement Officers in cooperation with Game Warden Jimmy Lindsey (center)

 

The Corpus Christi boaters will see an additional police presence this Labor Day Weekend.

Corpus Christi Police Officers Josh Swain and Jon McGinley have recently been trained and certified by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as Marine Safety Enforcement Officers. These Corpus Christi Police Officers now have the ability to enforce all safety laws from the Water Safety Act and will patrol the water ways in Corpus Christi.

The Marine Safety Enforcement Officers will address the loud noise complaints from boats, speeding and hazardous boat operations, hunting and fishing violations, and boating while intoxicated violations.

The training and the equipment for this effort has been in cooperation with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Corpus Christi Gulf Beach Rescue at no additional cost to taxpayers. The officers work in cooperation with Game Wardens for the purpose to promote water safety in the Corpus Christi area.

Corpus Christi has miles of waterfront property that include the Corpus Christi Marina, North Beach, Corpus Christi Bay, the Canals of Tropic Isles in Flour Bluff, the Canals of Padre Isles on Padre Island, the Intracoastal Waterway, the recreational ski basin, and the Corpus Christi jurisdiction reaches 3 miles off shore in the Gulf Coast waters off Padre Island.

The new Corpus Christi Police Marine Safety Enforcement Officers check a fisherman for safety equipment at Packery Channel
Delta District

Man Kidnapped and Robbed, Two Men Arrested

Vernon Hemphill
Curtis Curt Terrell

Occurred on 8/28/12, 5:22 pm  Kidnapping/Aggravated Robbery    522 N. Tancahua   1208280112

Officers responded to the Wells Fargo Bank Motor Bank after a customer sent the teller a written message on a check to call police.  Upon their arrival, Officers observed several males the silver PT Cruiser in the drive thru and blocked it in.

Further investigation revealed the victim had been assaulted and robbed of him money after agreeing to drive one of the men home.  The victim told Officers he drank a few beers with the man when another man arrived at the home and threatened to kill the victim.  The man assaulted the victim with a piece of wood causing a laceration his eye and chin.

The two men drove the victim to the bank and were forcing the victim to withdraw money from his bank account when police arrived.

Vernon Hemphill (12/11/89) and Curtis Curt Terrell (08/23/48) were both arrested and charged with Aggravated Kidnapping and Aggravated Robbery.  Terrell was additionally charged with an outstanding warrant.

The victim was treated at the scene by CCFD Emergency Personnel.

Corpus Christi Police Daily Blotter