On January 25, 2024, at about 7:38 AM officers were dispatched to the area of Horne Rd and Dinn St. in reference to shots being fired. Information stated there was a traffic accident and someone started shooting.

Officers arrived and contacted a 38-year-old male victim. The victim told officers he was traveling south on Ramsey St. when he noticed a maroon van tailgating him. The victim sped up to get away and avoid being struck. That is when the van passed him on Horne Rd.

The driver of the van then pulled in front of the victim vehicle and immediately stopped causing the victim to strike the van. The driver of the van then exited and approached the victim while holding a pistol in his hand. The male driver banged on the victim’s window several times and pointed the gun at the victim. The male driver then shot into the victim’s vehicle hood several times as he walked back to his van. The suspect then drove away from the area.

The male victim did not sustain any injuries. The officers were able to view video from the victim’s dash camera that recorded the entire incident. Police were then able to track down the suspect van and locate the suspect. He was taken into custody without incident and the handgun was recovered.

22-year-old Aaron Jasso was arrested for two counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.  

Senior Officer Michael Ramos is a 24-year veteran of the Corpus Christi Police Department and began his career in January 2000, after spending a short time with Kingsville PD. Senior Officer Ramos was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, and graduated from Alice High School. He received his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M-CC, Master of Science degree from Texas A&M-Laredo and is currently in his second year as a PhD student at Texas A&M -Laredo.

Senior Officer Ramos spent the first twelve years of his career in the Uniform Division as a patrol officer and spent a short time with the gang unit before transferring back to patrol. He transferred to the Central Investigations Division in 2012 where he was assigned to the Family Violence Unit. In 2013, Senior Officer Ramos was assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit, where he currently serves.

In 2010, Senior Officer Ramos received a lifesaving award for physically preventing a subject from jumping from a bridge. In January 2012, he was named officer of the month for apprehending two capital murder suspects. He has also received numerous commendations for his investigative work.

Senior Officer Ramos was featured in an episode of “In Pursuit with John Walsh.” He is the father of two.

We are aware of a recent scam that has come up where someone is calling on behalf of the Corpus Christi Police Department and demanding money or needing to serve someone with a subpoena.

This is all false. The police department will not call you asking for money, and we do not serve subpoenas.

If you receive a phone call that appears suspicious simply hang up. remember to never give personal or sensitive information over the phone to someone you do not know.

On January 19, 2024, at approximately 11:35 PM officers were dispatched to the 2000 block of Airline Rd in reference to a shooting. Updates stated there was a male victim in the back of the business that had been shot.

Officers arrived and located a 34-year-old male with a gunshot wound to his chest area. Officers began to provide aid. EMS shortly arrived and transported the victim to a local hospital with life threatening injuries.

Officers on scene were told by witnesses the suspect immediately fled the scene in his vehicle after the shooting. A description was broadcast to the assisting officers.

Officers located the suspect vehicle traveling south on Cimarron Blvd. Officers attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle, but the vehicle refused to stop. The officers continued to follow the suspect vehicle until it came to a stop at a residence in the 6700 block of Samba Dr. The male driver was then detained without further incident.

Detectives with the Robbery Homicide Division were called out to investigate. The suspect and witnesses were interviewed.

During this time the male victim had succumbed to his injuries.

The investigation revealed the individuals involved knew each other and an argument ensued while they were standing outside of the establishment.  One male began to strike the other male that is when a firearm was pulled out and fired.

45-year-old Troy Virginio was arrested for Murder and Evading arrest with a vehicle.

A contingent of four Corpus Christi Police Department Honor Guard members were honored to attend the Dallas Cowboys Playoff Game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, January 14th.  The Honor Guard members were among hundreds of police officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel from across Texas who attended the game as part of the Dallas Cowboys First Responder Appreciation event.   Our Honor Guard team members joined their first responder colleagues on the field during pre-game festivities by holding a giant United States Flag throughout the playing of the National Anthem.  All first responders were then invited to remain and enjoy the game as guests of the Dallas Cowboys.  Corpus Christi Police Chief Mike Markle extends his deepest gratitude to Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys organization for recognizing the everyday heroes that comprise Texas’s first responders.

On Friday, January 12, 2024, at 4:41pm, officers arrived at the 900 block of Nueces Bay Blvd. to affect a felony warrant on a 44-year-old male for continuous sexual assault of a child. 

When officers attempted to effect this arrest, a struggle ensued with the suspect over a handgun possessed by the suspect. Officers tased the suspect without effect. Because of the life-threatening nature of this call, officers used their primary duty weapon and fired a single shot, striking the suspect. The suspect was transported to a local hospital where he has since passed away.  

The Corpus Christi Police Officers who were involved will be placed on paid administrative leave, in accordance with current department practice and policy. 

This is still an active and ongoing investigation. If you have any information pertaining to this incident, you are encouraged to call the Corpus Christi Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 361-886-2840. Anyone who would like to keep their identity secret and still provide information to detectives should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the tip online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=. 

Continuing their initiative to eliminate illegal gambling within the Corpus Christi city limits, detectives with the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division served simultaneous search warrants Thursday afternoon at a storefront business and a related residence on the city’s south side. Following a months-long investigation into the business that uncovered evidence of illegal gambling, detectives secured search warrants for the Player’s Lounge game room, located in a strip mall on the 3400 block of SPID, and the residence on the 8200 block of Olympic Drive. During the searches, detectives seized gambling equipment, over $85,000 cash, one vehicle, and a small quantity of marijuana. Brandon Roe, age 23, Mallory Villarreal, age 30, and Jillian Dunnahoo, age 22 were arrested and charged with gambling promotion, keeping a gambling place, possession of a gambling device, engaging in organized criminal activity, and money laundering. Engaging in organized criminal activity and money laundering are both state jail felonies, punishable by up to two years in jail and a maximum $10,000 fine, while the other three charges are class A misdemeanors. Five adult patrons inside the game room were cited for gambling, a class C misdemeanor.

This investigation continues, and additional charges and arrests are possible. The Corpus Christi Police Department reminds citizens that game rooms which pay out cash rewards are engaging in illegal gambling. Patrons as well as the management of these establishments may face criminal charges.

NVID Detectives were assisted in the operation by officers with the CCPD Traffic Unit and investigators with the State of Texas Comptroller’s Office, which regulates coin operated machines.

The Corpus Christi Police Department continues to collaborate with our local state and federal partners to investigate and combat illegal gambling. Investigators will continue to enforce all Texas gambling laws, which will help accomplish our mission to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and to improve the quality of life in our community.

68A inspections for Tuesday, January 16, 2024, is cancelled due to expected inclement weather.

UPDATE: THE PRACTICE PHYSICAL FITNESS HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO POTENTIAL INCLEMENT WEATHER

PRACTICE PHYSICAL FITNESS

You are invited to attend the Corpus Christi Police Department Practice Physical Assessment Test (PAT) on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 7:00 a.m. for our upcoming CCPD 84th Police Academy projected to begin July 2024. The practice test will take place at the main police station (321 John Sartain, Corpus Christi, TX 78401). Applicants will meet us at the gated entrance directly across from Whataburger on the Bay (Water St. side of the building). Check-in time will be between 7:00 am – 7:30 am, so we can start promptly at 7:30 am.

On Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at 10:08am, officers were made aware of a social media post that appeared to make threats of violence toward the students and staff at a local middle school. Investigators with CCPD, CCISD and federal authorities immediately launched an investigation to determine the validity of these threats as well as to identify the suspect or suspects involved.

Corpus Christi Independent School District’s Police Department has arrested a 12-year-old juvenile female for terroristic threats. The juvenile has been transported to the Nueces County Juvenile Justice Center for booking.

The safety and security of our citizens is our highest priority, and we take all threats made toward our campuses, students, and staff seriously. 

If you have any information about threats made to any school, you are urged to contact investigators at 361-886-2840.  If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at (361) 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the information online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=.  The information you provide to Crime Stoppers is anonymous and if the information leads to an arrest, it could earn you a cash reward.