Delta District

Fight outside a bar leaves to men injured

August 10th 2:13am    5959 Williams    Aggravated Assault    1208100024

Officers were dispatched to 5959 Williams for a fight involving several subjects. Upon arrival two subjects were laying injured in the parking lot. One subject refused to cooperate but advised that he knew who “jumped” him. The other subject was not fully conscious. Witnesses indicate that the two injured individuals were involved in a disturbance inside the club and that once they left the bar a group of four males beat and kicked them until they were alerted that the police were in route, then they fled the scene. The men were transported by medics; their injuries are not believed to be life threatening at this time. The CCPD Gang unit responded to assist in the investigation.

Criminal Investigations Division

Suspects arrested in connection with an aggravated robbery

August 2, 2012 Aggravated Robbery 4100 Shaw 1208060186

On August 2nd at 6:31pm, CCPD responded to 4100 Shaw for an assault not in progress call. The officer assigned the call made contact with Edward Perez 7-16-53. It was Edward’s room mate who had called police on his behalf. The officer noted that Edward may have been intoxicated refused medical treatment and was declining to make a report at the time.

On August 3rd CCFD Medic 10 and police responded to a call at 4100 Stafford for a man down. An unconscious but breathing subject (later identified as Edward Perez) was located sitting in a lawn chair. There were no visible injuries observed and he was transported to Sphon Shoreline.

On August 6th at approximately 9:00pm CCPD was requested at Sphon Shoreline for an assault not in progress. The responding officer learned that Edward Perez was unresponsive. The officer learned from an individual at the hospital that Edward’s roommate told him that there had been an altercation over an amount of money that may have been owed on August 2nd. Edward may have been knocked unconscious.

Further investigation revealed that Edward’s roommate owed money to some individuals who came to collect on August 2nd. One of the individuals struck Edward, possibly with an object and Edward fell to the ground unconscious. Once unconscious, the suspects searched his body taking his money. The three individuals then left. The Criminal Investigative Division began to investigate the case as an aggravated robbery.

On August 7th Edward Perez died in the hospital.

Warrants were obtained for two of the suspects and on August 9th CCPD arrested one of the suspects Gabriel Grande 2-24-93 at his home on Yale Street. Alfonso Garcia 8-20-59 was observed on the sidewalk on Yale Street and arrested without incident. The third suspect has been identified and the issuance of a warrant is pending.

Detectives are waiting on the final report from the Nueces Medical Examiner to decide if the current charges will be upgraded.

Community Outreach, Criminal Investigations Division

Police Officers Learn About Insurance Fraud

The National Insurance Crime Bureau provided training Friday to area law enforcement at the Del Mar College and hosted by the Corpus Christi Police Departments Auto Theft Task Force to provide information to identify fraudulently altered or stolen vehicles through document review and vehicle inspection.

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, insurance fraud costs 30 billion dollars per year which is passed onto the insurance customers. The objective for the day long class was to equip law enforcement officers with the ability to decode and detect fraudulent Vehicle Identification Numbers.

ThNational Insurance Crime Bureau is a not for profit organization formed in 1992 dedicated exclusively to fight insurance fraud and crime. The N.I.C.B. has membership of over 1,000 property and insurance companies, self insured organizations, rental car companies, parking service providers, and transportation-related firms. The N.I.C.B. provides training to law enforcement without fee. The class was taught by N.I.C.B. Agents John Mitchell and Mike Gallagher.

Law Enforcement Officers learned about the 17 character Vehicle Identification Number system. The V.I.N. is mandated by Federal regulations as the primary identification number for all vehicles made after 1981.

The N.I.C.B. has the goal to provide the training to the law enforcement officers today to prevent and combat insurance fraud and crime through data analytics, investigations, and public awareness.

As part of the public awareness campaign, the public may use the N.I.C.B.s  VINCheck program for no fee. The VINCheck program allows the public to determine if a vehicle has been reported stolen and not recovered or reported as salvaged. Visit the N.I.C.B. website https://www.nicb.org/theft_and_fraud_awareness/vincheck/vincheck for more information.

Delta District

Early Morning Shooting Leaves a Man with an Injured Hand

August 10, 2012 3:34am    1200 block of Elgin          Aggravated Assault       120800031

Officers responded to Doctors Regional Hospital to interview a shooting victim that hospital staff was treating. The victim, a 21 year old male was suffering from a gunshot wound to his left hand. He stated that he was leaving his residence on Elgin when he was approached by an unknown male. The stranger asked for a dollar. The victim declined to give any money and turned away to get into his vehicle. The victim said that he could hear the man approaching him and he turned to find him pointing a gun in his face.  The victim stated that he attempted to reach for the gun and was shot in the hand. He said that the suspect fled south on Elgin across Morgan. He may have been running towards a van.  Officers went to Elgin but could not locate a crime scene.

If you have any information about this crime you are asked to contact CCPD at 361-886-2840 or Crime Stoppers at 361-888-TIPS(8477).

Delta District

Decision to steal beer leads to the discovery of a fugitive

August 9, 2012 8:12pm          4100 Ayers     Theft/Warrants    1208090011

CCPD Officers were dispatched to a convenience store to investigate a theft of beer that had just occurred. Before officers could arrive, Officers from the Corpus Christi Independent School District Police Department advised that they had stopped a vehicle at 2700 Zamora driving at a high rate of speed with its lights turned off.  Inside the vehicle was the driver and sole occupant Crystal Pena 6-29-89 and an 18 pack of Bud Light.

The suspect was positively identified by the store clerk who stated that the suspect almost drove into the pumps and customers as she fled the scene. Crystal Pena was also discovered to have two active warrants for her arrest.

Charlie District, Patrol Division

Fast Response by a Patrol Officer foils an Auto Thief

August 8 2012 3:46pm     4717 SPID     UUMV/Burglary to Vehicles     1208080096

Officer Vela was dispatched to Best Buy for a report of someone breaking into a vehicle. Upon arrival Officer Vela observed a male matching the description of the suspect that was broadcast. Officer Vela detained the subject who was in possession of a screw driver and a 17 inch round metal pry bar. A witness positively identified Gumecindo Hernandez 07-18-82 as the man who was seen breaking into vehicles.  A total of three damaged vehicles were located. Two of them had damaged steering columns indicative of an attempted theft of vehicle.  One of the vehicles was said to have actually been moved to a different location. Gumecindo Hernandez was arrested for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and burglary to a motor vehicle.

Community Outreach, Traffic Safety Division

What to do if you are in a vehicle crash

What do I do if I am in a vehicle crash?

There are many crashes every day in Corpus Christi. Most are minor and have no injuries. It is important to know what to do if you are unfortunate to experience one of these crashes. Your reaction can prevent injuries, reduce the cost, and accelerate the cleanup.

Safety First:

Drivers involved in minor accidents with no serious injuries should move cars to the side of the road and out of the way of oncoming traffic. Additional accidents and injuries can result if cars are left parked in the middle of the road or busy intersection. Drivers and passengers should remain in the cars with seat belts fastened for everyone’s safety until help arrives if the car cannot be moved. Turn on hazard lights and set out cones, flares or warning triangles if it is safe and practical. Provide any aid to injured people if at all possible or appropriate.

Call Police:

The emergency services representative that answers the phone will ask if there are any injuries as a result of this crash. That is a priority for emergency services response. The representative will ask for the location of the crash, how many vehicles are involved, if traffic is blocked by crashed vehicles, and the description of the vehicles. Be ready to provide the information so there will be as little of a delay as possible by emergency responders.

Exchange Information:

Exchange the following information: name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver license number and license plate number for the driver and the owner of each vehicle. Establish what the relationship is and take down the name and address for each individual if the driver’s name is different from the name of the insured. Make a written description of each car, including year, make, model and color — and the exact location of the collision and how it happened. Finally, be polite and be patient.

Document the Crash:

Use your camera to document the damage to all the vehicles. Keep in mind that you want your photos to show the overall context of the crash. Get the contact information of any witnesses to the event. Have your driver’s license and proof of insurance ready for the police officer that responds. Crash reports also require the identifying information for all occupants of each vehicle involved in a crash. Have the passenger’s information like identification cards and seat positions ready for the police officer that reports the crash. Let the emergency responders know of any preference of a tow service needed as soon as practical; otherwise, the police officer will request a wrecker from a rotation list.

Auto accidents take a tremendous toll on everyone involved, both financially and emotionally. If you’re one of the lucky ones who have thus far avoided a serious accident, hopefully the tips on prevention will help keep it that way. The chances are high, though; that at some point you will be involved in a minor accident. Just keep your head and make safety your primary concern.

Community Outreach, Traffic Safety Division

Move Over Public Service Announcement (click link for video)

When you see emergency workers on the side of the road, move over. If you can’t move over, slow down.

Deaths and injuries prompted Texas to enact the move over law in 2003.

When you see lights, when you see vests, slow down and move over.

Texas Transportation Code 545.157 defines the requirements of the Texas Move Over Act. It requires that drivers vacate the lane adjacent to a stopped, authorized emergency vehicle that has its emergency lights on, or slow down to 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit when the posted speed limit is at or above 25 miles per hour (or slow to 5 mph when
the posted speed is less than 25 mph).

Community Outreach, Traffic Safety Division

What to expect in traffic enforcement (click link)

What the public should do if police initiate a traffic stop:

1. When You See the Police Car

Pull over to the right safely and quickly if a police car is behind you with its emergency lights flashing. Use your turn signal to indicate any lane changes from left to right, and slow down fairly quickly, but not so quickly that the officer will have to brake to avoid hitting you. Pull over as far to the right as possible so that, when the officer comes up to your widow, he or she will worry less about passing traffic.

The best practice is to pull into a parking lot where there is no passing traffic. Once stopped, the best practice is to put the vehicle in park and turn on the interior light if it is dark. It is best to place both hands on the steering wheel so that the officer can see them. It is best to search for documents like proof of insurance and driver’s license after requested by the officer. Stay in the vehicle unless instructed to exit by the police officer.

What does the officer do while I wait?

The officer activates the emergency lights and notifies the dispatch personnel of the traffic stop. The officer provides the location of the stop, the license plate characters of the vehicle, and a description of the vehicle stopped. The officer requests the registration information from the car which is information if the vehicle has been reported stolen, the expiration date of the registration, the registered owner’s information, and the vehicle description.

The officer will approach your vehicle while looking for signs of anything that might indicate criminal activity or a threat to the officer or citizen safety. Criminals are located and arrested during simple traffic stops every day.

The officer will discuss the violation with you and request your driver’s license and proof of insurance. The officer will return to the patrol car to check the status of the license and to check for any warrants for arrest. The officer must document information as to the ethnicity and gender of the operator of the vehicle stopped, the reason for the stop, if an arrest was affected during the stop, if a search was conducted, and if a citation was issued. The officer must then complete any citation or warning before returning to your car. Please be patient, this may take a few minutes.

The officer will explain the citation and return your documents to you. The officer may ask you to sign a citation. Your signature only indicates that you received the citation, not that you agree with it. When the officer is finished with the traffic stop, he or she will tell you that you may go. You should carefully pull back out into traffic.

What if I have a gun in my car?

It is much safer for you and the officer if you tell the officer about the weapon immediately, then follow the officer’s directions. Don’t reach toward it.

What if I didn’t do it?

The time to argue about your guilt or innocence is in court. Instructions on how to plead guilty or not guilty are printed on the citation.

Delta District, Patrol Division

More information about patrol shifts

The Corpus Christi Police Department has 26 patrol shifts which work in an overlapping method so that each beat has two beat officers assigned to share work load for much of the time. The over lapping allows for officers to end their shift having already been replaced by an officer that has started their shift. This method provides for a seem less transition in view of the public so that police services are interrupted as little as possible.

The Corpus Christi Police Department has the city is divided into four districts (A, B, C, & D). Each district is the area of responsibility for one Police Captain. The Field Captain for the Delta District is Captain Bernardo Torres. The Captain supervises 6 or 7 subordinate Lieutenants assigned to the district that act as a shift supervisor over 8 to 12 patrol officers. The patrol officers are assigned to a beat of the district in which there are typically 8 beats per district. Some patrol officers ride together in one patrol car as a two-man unit.

In this case, Officer Paddock is a veteran officer that is responsible for the “on the job” training for Officer Martinez. Officer Martinez is graded each night based on his performance. The highest priority of the training is the ability for Officer Martinez to perform his duties safely.

Officer Martinez was hired by Corpus Christi in 2011 and completed 27 weeks of 40 hour per week classroom instruction. Officer Martinez graduated the 70th Class of the Corpus Christi Police Academy and has been assigned to the streets for the “hands on training.” Officer Martinez has a curriculum to follow for the training provided by Officer Paddock. Officer Martinez has books to study and is also graded on written tests provided by the Police Training Staff.

Randomly, Officers on the Field Training Program like Officer Martinez are unexpectedly called to a designated location to submit to a written exam. The grades from the written exam are compiled with the daily grades based on conduct and performance. Historically, several officers from each academy class do not complete the Field Training Program and are dismissed from the Corpus Christi Police Department.

Corpus Christi Police Daily Blotter