Bravo District, Criminal Investigations Division

Police Disrupt Auto Theft Group

Occurred Wednesday, August 15, 2012, 7:45am, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, 1208150061

A 31-year-old man was arrested when he was found in a vehicle stolen from a car lot on the 4300 block of South Staples Street Wednesday morning.

Corpus Christi police were called by the manager of a car dealership on the 4300 block of Staples Street Wednesday morning to report a blue 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 truck valued at $15,000 stolen from the lot. Corpus Christi Police Officers searched the area and found the truck at an apartment complex located at the 400 block of Eldon Drive.

Detectives from the Corpus Christi Police Auto Theft Task Force watched the truck until the truck was driven away. The Detectives requested Corpus Christi Police Patrol Officers to initiate a traffic stop on the truck. The truck travelled to South Padre Island Drive and then turned into the parking lot of a business at the 4500 block of South Padre Island Drive just as Police Patrol cars arrived to attempt to initiate the traffic stop.

The operator of the truck got onto a bicycle that was in the bed of the truck and attempted to flee from police on the bike. Corpus Christi Police captured 31-year-old George Ortiz (5/21/1981) and arrested him for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Evading Arrest.

Corpus Christi Police Auto Theft Task Force Detectives identified Ortiz as part of a group of individuals responsible for 5 stolen trucks from dealerships in Corpus Christi since the beginning of June 2012. The 5 trucks are all Dodge Ram pickups and are taken with the intent to disassemble the vehicles for parts, or be sold in Mexico. Detectives continue to investigate this case and more arrests may result. Detectives encourage anyone with additional information about these crimes to call Detectives with the Auto Theft Task Force at 886-2862. Anyone with any information should not assume police have the information, and provide the information without delay.

The Corpus Christi Police Auto Theft Task Force Detectives encourage the public to be aware of a few no-cost precautions to avoid vehicle theft. One tip is to take your keys. Half of all vehicles stolen in Texas (roughly 50,000 annually) are the result of keys left in the ignition.

A second tip is to lock the doors. Half of all stolen vehicles were left unlocked. Park in well-lit areas and don’t tempt thieves by leaving valuables in sight.

Report any vehicle theft to the police immediately if your vehicle has been stolen. Be ready to provide the vehicle year, make, model, color, Vehicle Identification Number, and the license plate number to increase your chances for recovery. For more information, call 1-800-CAR-Watch or visit www.txwatchyourcar.com.

Charlie District, Criminal Investigations Division

Robbery Victim Dies, Three Arrested

Gabriel Grande Jr.
Alfonso Garcia
Jazmyn Monique De Los Santos

Reported on 8/7/12, 11:55 pm  Aggravated Robbery  4100 Shaw Street   1208060186

On 8/6/12, at approximately 8:59 p.m. police were called to Spohn Shoreline for an assault victim and contacted the victim’s son who reported his father had been brought to the hospital on Friday and admitted as a “John Doe.”

Further investigation revealed the victim had been brought to the hospital by CCFD Emergency Personnel who responded to a “man down” call at Horne and Shaw.  The victim did not have visible injuries at the time, but was unconscious.

Corpus Christi Homicide/Robbery Detectives received information that on August 2nd, the victim had been involved in a verbal altercation with several individuals over a debt owed by a roommate. During the confrontation the victim was knocked unconscious and robbed.  The suspects who included two males and a pregnant female left in a black four-door vehicle with a spoiler.

During their investigation, Detectives discovered Police were called to the residence at 4100 Shaw on August 2nd, but the victim did not want to file a police report, refusing to cooperate with Officers.  The roommate told Detectives the victim left the residence on Friday, August 3rd and did not return. 

Detectives’ continued their investigation and were able to identify the suspects.  Detective R. Lee obtained warrants for Gabriel Grande Jr. (02/24/93) and Alfonso Garcia (08/20/59) for Aggravated Robbery.  Each warrant had a bond of $150,000.  Detective Lee also obtained a warrant for Grande’s pregnant girlfriend, Jazmyn Monique De Los Santos (04/14/93) for Aggravated Robbery.

Grande was arrested on August 9th at 1701 Yale Street and charged with the outstanding Aggravated Robbery warrant by Senior Officers J. Vela and H. Corona.  Senior Officer J. Vela arrested Garcia about forty minutes later in the 1700 block of Yale Street.  He was charged with the outstanding Aggravated Robbery warrant.  Senior Officer H. Corona and D. Gipson arrested De Los Santos on August 14th at 1701 Yale Street and booked at the City Detention Center on the outstanding Aggravated Robbery warrant.

The 59-year-old victim died on August 8th and the investigation is ongoing pending the Nueces County Medical Examiner’s ruling.

Community Outreach

Interested in becoming a Police Officer? Accept the Challenge!

Now Hiring!

The Corpus Christi Police department has extended it’s application deadline to August 31, 2012. The Corpus Christi Police Department invites qualified men and women to apply for a rewarding and dedicated career as a police officer. Corpus Christi is a unique community that balances the beauty and calm of a sparkling village-by-the-sea atmosphere with big city benefits and opportunities. We are a city of 300,000 in population and our officers provide a wide range of police-related services that make the job interesting and challenging. We are a large enough department to engage most contemporary police functions, but small enough to still remember your first name and not treat you like a number. The pay and benefits package, the affordable cost of living, and the friendliness of our citizens make the position of police officer a much sought-after career. To apply or for more information, click here http://www.cctexas.com/police/careers/

Applicant Physical Ability Test (P.A.T.) Preparation

The Corpus Christi Police Department is opening up their training center for applicants to come and practice the physical ability test (P.A.T.) every Wednesday from 9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.

The Corpus Christi Police Department’s Training Staff will answer questions and provide information to all prospective applicants who participate in the practice physical ability test on how to prepare for the P.A.T. It will then be up to each individual to utilize the information they are given, to train themselves to achieve the best possible score on the P.A.T. on test day.

The practice physical ability tests will be held at the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Training Center:

4510 Corona Drive Corpus Christi, TX 78411

For more information you can call:

Maryann Carrillo

Senior Staff Assistant, Training Division

(361) 826-4071

Walk-Ins Welcome!

Delta District

Officers Assaulted During Domestic Dispute Call for Help

Christina Ramirez
Edward Armadillo

Occurred on 8/13/12, 9:55 pm  Assault on a Public Servant/Resisting Arrest  3100 Magnolia  1208130151

Officers received a call for a family disturbance involving the use of weapons.  Several Officers were dispatched when additional 911 calls were received reporting gunshots were fired.  Upon their arrival, Officer contacted family members at the Magnolia Street residence who reported Edward Armadillo (01/20/75) assaulted his mother hitting her on the shoulder after she told him not to bring his girlfriend to her home.

Armadillo brother’s observed the assault and grabbed his gun, firing two warning shots which made the suspect run into the home where Police found him.  Armadillo was placed in police custody and a struggle ensued as he was being escorted to the police car.  Two Officers received minor injuries during the struggle when Armadillo lashed out and landed several kicks.  Armadillo continued to resist arrest and only complied with Officers when pepper sprayed.

Armadillo was booked at the City Detention Center and charged with two counts of Assault Causes Bodily Injury to a Public Servant and Resisting Arrest.  He was additionally charged with Assault~Family Violence. (1208140005)

Armadillo’s girlfriend, Christina Ramirez (08/08/75) who was involved in the original disturbance was also arrested.  She was charged with Public Intoxication and an outstanding Municipal Court warrant. (1208130155)

Corpus Christi Police Department Detectives will take over the investigation and possible charges may be filed for the weapon violation. (1208130154)

Bravo District, Delta District

Two Men Arrested for Urinating on Police Cars

Ronald David Wasserleben
Albert Halfmann

Occurred on 8/14/12, 8:23 pm  Public Intoxication/Wanted Subject  1455 Waldron Road 1208140115/1208140117 

Officers received a call from Bayside Grocery employee who reported two homeless men were urinating on police vehicles parked on Waldron Street side of the Flour Bluff substation.   The caller also reported the two men were causing problems at the store asking  individuals to buy them beer. 

Ronald David Wasserleben (05/04/62) and Albert Halfmann (08/05/56) were both arrested by Officers.  Wasserleben was charged with Public Intoxication and booked at the City Detention Center along with Halfman who was charged with Criminal Trespass.  Halfmann was additionally charged with an outstanding Nueces County warrant for Criminal Trespass.  There was no bond set on the warrant.

 

Narcotics/Vice Division

Police Seize $30,000 Worth Of Methamphetamine On McGregor Drive

Occurred Tuesday, August 14, 2012, 10:40am, 4601 McGregor Dr. Possession of a Controlled Substance, Search Warrant 1208140036                                                
Corpus Christi Police arrested two men and seized $30,000 worth of methamphetamine Tuesday morning from a house on the 4600 block of McGregor Drive.

The Corpus Christi Police Narcotics Vice Investigations Division conducted an investigation which included the use of undercover operations to obtain a search warrant for the house located at 4601 McGregor Drive. The Narcotics Vice Investigations Division were assisted by the Corpus Christi Police SWAT to safely enter the house and seize 23.7 ounces of methamphetamine which has a street value of $30,000.

The Investigators also seized a handgun in the home. Police arrested 40-year-old Adam Garcia (10/25/1971) at the home for possession of a controlled substance; a 1st degree felony. Police also arrested 34-year-old Jose Garcia (1/30/1978) at the home for a warrant for arrest for burglary.

Community Outreach, Criminal Intelligence Unit, Criminal Investigations Division

Fake Groupon Discount Offer Hides Virus

The Corpus Christi Police Financial Crimes Investigators would like to warn the public of a new email scam that infects computers with a virus.

The email that transmits a virus is presented as a shopping deal from Groupon complete with the colors, logo, and email format. The email has an attachment file called “group coupon.zip” which contains a virus designed to infect the Windows operating system.

Police advise the public to keep an updated virus software program and run a scan periodically. Anyone that questions the validity of any Groupon deal should contact the company’s customer support.

Visit the Better Business Bureau website for more information about breaking scams in our area.

Bravo District

Unhelmeted Motorcyclist Suffers Head Trauma in Crash

Occurred on 8/14/12, 11:41pm   Major Accident/DWI   NAS @ Waldron Road  1208140003/C1206118 

Officers were dispatched to NAS at Waldron for a single vehicle accident involving a motorcycle.  Upon their arrival they found the rider to have suffered a head trauma and very combative with CCFD Emergency Personnel.  The driver who was not wearing a helmet was taken to Spohn Memorial with a head injury.  

Further investigation revealed the 58-year-old driver lost control of his black Harley-Davidson as he was traveling northbound on NAS Drive and struck the raised curb.  The driver was ejected and landed in the roadway. 

Once at the hospital Officers continued their investigation and discovered alcohol may have been a factor in the accident.  A blood draw was taken.  The driver was not arrested due to his admittance to the hospital.  He could face a charge of Driving While Intoxication.

Charlie District, Patrol Division

“Kimbo” Sniffs Out Marijuana

Occurred on 8/11/12, 10:25 pm   Possession of Marijuana     5901 Weber      1208110159 

Senior Officer L. Preiss pulled over a gold Honda Civic when it failed to completely stop for a Stop Sign.  Preiss contacted the driver Juan Flores (07/25/90) while back up Officers contacted the passenger.  Officer Preiss deployed his canine partner “Kimbo” who alerted to the Marijuana in the center console. 

Flores was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana and Driving With License Suspended or Invalid.   He was also cited for No Driver’s License, Failure to Maintain Insurance, and an expired Motor Vehicle Registration.  Flores’ vehicle was also impounded.

The passenger was released at the scene.

Criminal Investigations Division, Delta District, Patrol Division

Woman Arrested For Role In Serious Injury To 67 Year Old Man

Occurred Wednesday, August 9, 2012, 1:00am, 1922 Violeta Court, Aggravated Assault, and Burglary with intent to commit other felony 1208090042

A 67-year-old man suffered serious injury as the result of an assault in his home Wednesday night.

A 50-year-old health care provider called Corpus Christi Police at 8:00am Wednesday morning to report an assault. The 50-year-old woman said she arrived at the 67-year-old man’s apartment and discovered the man had been injured by an unknown person overnight. The 50-year-old woman explained that she does not know the reason, but an unknown person entered the home without permission and hit the 67-year-old man in the head causing significant head trauma to the 67-year-old man.

The 67-year-old man was unable to provide details to investigators and was sent to the hospital by ambulance for medical treatment.

Corpus Christi Police Detectives developed information to identify and arrest 35-year-old Esmeralda Benavidez (11/11/1976) on Monday, August 13, 2012 for her role in the burglary of a habitation with the intent to commit other felony.

Sunday, August 12, 2012, the 67-year-old man died. The Nueces County Medical Examiner’s Office is conducting an inquiry as to the cause of death.

Corpus Christi Police Detectives continue to investigate and gather information about this crime.  Anyone with additional information about this crime should call the Corpus Christi Police Department at 886-2600. Information may be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888TIPS.com.

Corpus Christi Police Daily Blotter