Criminal Investigations Division, Delta District

Corpus Christi Police Auto Theft Task Force Hosts Annual Industry Summit

Lieutenant Tommy Hansen of the Galveston County Auto Crimes Task Force speaks at the general session in the Riviera Ballroom
Harley Davidson motorcycles line Ocean Drive in preparation for the evening ride as part of the 2012 Auto Burglary & Theft Prevention Authority annual summit
The Corpus Christi Police Auto Theft Task Force has hosted the 2012 Theft Prevention Authority Annual Summit at the Omni Marina Tower located at 707 North Shoreline Boulevard.

The Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority (ABTPA) is a part of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles that provides oversight and financial support to the problem of auto theft in Texas. The purpose of the annual conference is to share training and update participating law enforcement agencies with industry trends and programs.

The Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority is a network of law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, insurance industry representatives, local tax assessor collectors, and concerned citizen groups. The organization was established in 1991 in the 72nd Texas Legislature to reduce auto theft. The A.B.T.P.A. organization was amended by the 80th Legislature with House Bill 1887 to include burglary.

The A.B.T.P.A. has a summit each year to protect Texans from becoming victims of auto burglary and theft. The summit this year is held in Corpus Christi from June 25 until June 28. The conference hosts a variety of experts that provide information on topics such as Vehicle Identification Number structure, managing undercover operations, salvage yard inspections, cloned vehicles, dealer laws and others.

Those at the conference participate in nightly activities to promote networking. Wednesday night the event was a Harley Davidson Ride. Those without a Harley Davidson motorcycle were provided the opportunity to rent a bike to cruise Ocean Drive and enjoy the Corpus Christi area.

The Corpus Christi Police Auto Theft Task Force is funded by grants provided by the A.B.T.P.A. The Auto Theft Bureau is located on the third floor of the Main Police Station located at 321 John Sartain, Corpus Christi Texas. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional information about this program can be found on the city website at www.cctexas.com.

Charlie District

Furniture causes the tragic death of a young boy

Occurred Wednesday 06/27/2012   12:00PM      5200 Cromwell Dr      1206270081

Officers were dispatched to a call for an injured child. A six year old boy had been reaching up to an unsecured mantle, possibly to retrieve a toy and it fell over crushing him. Although the child was transported for medical treatment, he was pronounced dead at the hospital. Detectives were also sent to the scene to investigate.  At this time, it appears to be a tragic accidental death. There are no criminal charges at this time.

Bravo District, Narcotics/Vice Division

Warrant Service On 2000 Block Of Tara Dr.

Occurred Wednesday, June 27, 2012, 6:30am, 2009 Tara Possession of Dangerous Drugs 1206270033

A 31-year-old man was arrested and contraband was seized after the Corpus Christi S.W.A.T. team served a high risk narcotics search warrant Wednesday morning for the Narcotics Vice Investigations Division at 2009 Tara Drive.

31-year-old Ernesto Benavides (10/8/1980), a known gang member, was arrested for three charges:

1. Manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance 1st degree felony punishable by up to 99 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine;

2. Possession of a controlled substance PG3 <28g Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and up to a $4,000 fine;

3. Felon in possession of a firearm 3rd degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

Corpus Christi Police Narcotics Vice Investigations Division seized 186.46 grams (6.66oz) cocaine valued at $5,993; Alprazolam 1.3 grams valued at $20.00; Acetaminophen/hydrocodone 0.70 grams valued at $5.00; and a Sig Sauer P229 .40 caliber semiautomatic handgun.

 

Adam District, Patrol Division

Fugitive Found By Silent Patrol Officer

Occurred Wednesday, June 27, 2012, 1:23am, 4500 Elvira Road, Evading & Resisting Arrest 1206270013

A 30-year-old man was arrested on the 4500 block of Elvira Road Wednesday after a Corpus Christi Police Officer found the man peeking into cars at 1:20 in the morning.

A Corpus Christi Police Patrol Officer stopped to watch the area of the Villarreal Drive and Elvira Road in response to several recent burglaries in that neighborhood. The officer saw 30-year-old Armando Flores Jr. (8/16/1981) walk through several yards near several houses which indicated to the officer that Flores may have sought an opportunity to commit theft. The officer continued to watch the unusual behavior until Flores stopped to look into a pickup truck parked on the street. The patrol officer turned on the patrol car lights and Flores ran from the officer.

Flores ran to the front door of a house on the 4500 block of Elvira and kicked the door and slammed his shoulder into the door in an effort to break the door open. A woman inside the house yelled to get away and that she would not open the door.

The officer and Flores wrestled until Flores was placed in handcuffs. Flores was taken to the patrol car where Flores began another struggle by kicking the officer. Flores was exposed to pepper spray to stop the action.

Flores had an ankle monitor and was discovered to have a warrant for his arrest for an assault.

Flores was delivered to the city detention center for Evading Arrest, Resisting Arrest or Detention, and for the warrant for his arrest.

Delta District, Patrol Division

Street Sweeper Taken For A Joy Ride

Occurred Tuesday, June 26, 2012, 8:00am, 400 Peoples Street, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle 1206260043

A street sweeper valued at $28,000 was stolen Tuesday morning after the operator left the machine unattended to get a cup of coffee.

An 80-year-old man reported to Corpus Christi Police that the sweeper was left running and unattended while the man went to get a cup of coffee at 419 Peoples Street. The sweeper was described as a white 2005 Tennant ATVL 4300 street and sidewalk sweeper.

The sweeper was found unattended at the 1800 block of S. Alameda at 4:30pm. There was no damage to the machine and it was full on fuel. Police. Corpus Christi Police have not made any arrests related to this case.

Charlie District

Brother and Sister arrested for outstanding warrants

Monday 06-/25/2012 19:23 4100 Christi Apprehended Fugitives/ Hindering Apprehension/Possession of a Controlled Substance 1206250166

Officers went to a home at the 4100 block of Christi searching for a Gregory Ramos 08/19/83 who had a burglary warrant. Upon arrival they contacted his sister Bernice Ramos 11/02/77 who advised that she was aware of his warrant and that a group of officers had already been there to look for her brother. Officers were unable to confirm that any officers had been to that location recently and asked for permission to look inside for the fugitive.  Once inside, officers found Gregory Ramos hiding behind the shower curtain and heroin was also located in the bathroom. He was arrested without incident. Bernice Ramos was also arrested for her part in attempting to hide her fugitive brother and it was discovered she also had a Municipal Court warrant for her arrest.

Adam District

Gun used to alarm residents turns out to be non-functional

Monday 6/25/2012 20:29  Public Intoxication/Resisting Arrest    8200 Leopard St     1206250172

Officer were dispatched to listed to 8200 block of Leopard for a suspicious male subject carrying a handgun and pointing it at residents.  The first responding  officer contacted the suspect later identified as Michael Mancuso dob 03-08-1969. The suspect was carrying a radio and what appeared to be an old rusted gun. The officer exercised great restraint and after several commands from the officer, Michael Mancuso eventually dropped gun which was now visually confirmed to be in-operable.  Michael Mancuso showed signs of intoxication and was refusing to be frisked for possible additional weapons. Officers attempted to handcuff the suspect but he resisted and pushed one officer in the face.  Officers utilized a Taser to end the struggle and Michael Mancuso was handcuffed and arrested without further incident.

Adam District

Man Attacked with Machete Over a $10 Debt

Occurred on 6/23/12, 02:32 am  Aggravated Assault   4600 Angela  1206230027

Officers responded to an assault and upon their arrival found the 49-year-old victim lying on the ground bleeding from a laceration to his face and a dislocated jaw.  The suspect Rodolfo Quintero (10/14/67)  fled, but was found at his residence and returned to the crime scene. 

Further investigation revealed, the victim and Quintero argued about a $10 debt.  Quintero tried to leave, but was attacked by a machete wielding victim.  The suspect struck the victim with a foosball stick he grabbed from the trash.  The victim was taken to Spohn Memorial by CCFD Emergency Personnel. 

Quintero was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault~Serious Bodily Injury which is a 2nd Degree Felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Bravo District, Community Outreach

Five-Year-Old Rushed to Driscoll after Near Drowning

Occurred on 6/24/12, 5:05 pm  Drowning 8202 SPID  1206240115 

Officer T. Taufaasau responded to Motel 6 for a possible drowning and arrived to find several people surrounding a 5-year-old boy yelling for help.  The child was laying by the pool’s edge having a difficult time breathing.  The Officer took hold of the child and rolled him over allowing a large amount of water to exit his mouth.  Shortly thereafter, firefighters arrived and rushed him to the arriving ambulance. 

The child was taken to Driscoll Children’s Hospital by CCFD Emergency Personnel.  Officer Taufasssau’s reported the child was breathing on own.  The child’s mother advised Officers she was in the pool with her son when she got out.  She turned around to find her son gone and began searching for him when she was told he had also gotten out of the pool.  When she returned to the pool area she saw her floating in the water.  She dove in and was able to bring her son to the pool’s edge where bystanders helped with CPR until police arrived.

With the arrival of summer and warmer weather, the use of pools and spas will also rise.  According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, child drownings in pools and spas still a leading cause of unintentional death, especially with children under five years of age.   By following simple pool safety tips, the risk of a drowning can be prevented.  Fence in your pool with a self-closing, self-latching, and lockable gate.   Install an alarm which will sound when a child falls in the pool or a pool gate opened. Never let your child swim alone or only with other children.  Pay close attention to your child when swimming; don’t read, text, or do chores and make sure your child takes swimming lessons. 

If you would like to learn CPR, please contact the Red Cross at 361-887-9991 or visit their website at www.redcross.org for classes.

 

 

Bravo District, Narcotics/Vice Division

Hallucinogenic Drugs Seized In Corpus Christi Apartment

Occurred Friday, June 22, 2012, 16:45, 4325 Ocean Drive, Possession of Controlled Substance 1206220103

The Corpus Christi Police Narcotics Vice Investigation Division served a search warrant at 4325 Ocean Drive on Friday and arrested 23-year-old Nixon Welsh (10/11/1988) for possession of controlled substances.

The Narcotics Vice Investigation Division obtained a search warrant as a result of information gathered from undercover investigations at the address. The Investigators seized a 9mm pistol with 3 loaded magazines when the search warrant was served.

Welsh is charged with:

Possession of (Hydoponic) marijuana 9 ounces, SJF Value $ 2,000

Possession of controlled substance “Mushrooms” 6 ounces 2F Value $ 1,800

Possession of controlled substance (LSD), 2F 200 hits Value $ 2,000

Possession of Controlled substance (Alprazolam), AM

The first charge is a state jail felony punishable by up to 2 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. The second and third charges are both second degree felonies punishable by up 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. The fourth charge is a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and up to a $4,000 fine.

Corpus Christi Police Daily Blotter