Delta District, Narcotics/Vice Division, Patrol Division

Two Injured When A Bottle Burst

Occurred Friday, June 15, 2012, 11:45am, 1400 Mestina Street, prohibited weapon 1206150062

Two people were injured Friday when a bottle burst on the sidewalk on the 1400 block of Mestina Street.

A 48-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man told Corpus Christi Police they were injured they picked up and shook a bottle they found on the street.

The Corpus Christi Bomb Squad investigated the evidence at the scene and determined the bottle was used to manufacture narcotics. The commander of the Corpus Christi Police Emergency Response Unit, Captain David Cook, described the method of manufacture as a “one pot cook.” Captain Cook said the two injured are part of a transient population and they were transported to the hospital with minor injuries. The two injured people refused medical treatment and left the hospital on their own.

Captain Cook said tests were conducted to identify substances on scene and the evidence was collected for more tests that will be conducted in a controlled environment.

An offense report was generated by police for prohibited weapons because of the nature of the item constructed; however, the charges will likely be adjusted to manufacturing narcotics once more specific information can be verified. The woman and the man may face criminal charges of manufacturing a controlled substance once the specific information is verified.

This type of manufacturing is not safe and should be reported to police immediately if observed. There are a few indicators that someone may attempt this method of manufacturing which include having strong chemical odors like photo developing chemicals or ammonia odors that smell like cat urine. Garbage that contains an unusual amount of glass containers and coffee filters are an indicator that someone is operating a clandestine lab. There may be burn pits or dead spots in the yard that are evidence of chemical waste dumping near someone who manufactures narcotics. The manufacturing not only is harmful to the people nearby, but very harmful to the environment and should be reported immediately.

Charlie District, Criminal Intelligence Unit

Earn a Reward, Call 888-TIPS and Help Identfiy These Robbery Suspects

Occurred on 6/14/12, 12:40 a.m.  Aggravated Robbery        5220 Ayers        1206140156 

Police contacted two City Stop Ayers employees who reported they were robbed at gunpoint.  They told Officers a man entered the store with his face covered and walked behind the counter, demanding money.  The man threatened the employee with a screwdriver.   

Both employees thought they were being pranked when the second suspect walked into the store and threatened to shoot them. The men fearing for their safety turned over the money.  The suspects then fled on foot taking with them and undetermined amount of money and several lottery tickets. 

The first suspect is described as a moustached Hispanic male, 5’4” to 5’5” feet tall and weighing 120 to 140 lbs.  He was last seen wearing a white shirt with designer jean pants, and armed with a screwdriver.  The second suspect is also described as a Hispanic male, 5’6” to 5’7” feet tall and weighing 190 to 200 lbs.  This suspect threatened to shoot employees, but the victims did not see a firearm.

Anyone with any information on this crime is encouraged to call 888-TIPS or log on to www.888TIPS.com and submit a tip.  Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. 

Bravo District

Bomb Squad Safely Removes Explosive Device

Occurred on 6/15/12, 11:32 p.m.  Recovered Stolen Vehicle  2906 Santana 1206140047/1206150020

The victim reported his blue 2004 Ford Explorer stolen from his driveway on June 14, 2012 at 10:27 am.  At the time of the report, the victim was unable to provide any suspect information, but did tell Officers a set of keys had been missing for a month. 

By the next day, the victim and some neighbors had tracked down the stolen SUV to Bluff Manor Apartments.  When the victim arrived at the complex, the suspects took off running.  The 63-year-old victim re-claimed his vehicle and drove it home and called police.  During an inventory of the SUV, Officers discovered a backpack, a toy gun, documents identifying the suspects along with a stolen check.  Officers also found what appeared to be a pipe bomb in the vehicle and cordoned off the area.  

The Corpus Christi Police Department’s Bomb Squad was called to assist.  Bomb Squad technicians utilized their robot to extract the suspicious item  from the Explorer and move it to a remote location, where it was rendered safe. Further investigation revealed the item was not an explosive device and a report for a Hoax Bomb was filed.

One suspect is described a  Hispanic female, 23 years of age, 5’1″ feet tall and weighing 100 lbs.  She was accompanied by a White male in his early twenties.  If you have any information regarding this incident call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or log on to www.888-TIPS.com.  Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

Delta District

Officers’ Patience and Persistence Pays Off

Daniel Ruiz

Occurred on 6/15/12, 4:24 a.m.  Burglary of a Vehicle/Evading Arrest  3732 MaCleod Drive  1206150028

Police received a call for service involving a suspicious suspect breaking into parked vehicle in the neighborhood.  Once they arrived, Officers found the suspect had disappeared.  A witness told Officers he was drinking coffee on his front porch before heading to work when he observed a bald male dressed in a black shirt burglarizing several cars.   Officers went into stealth mode, turning off all their equipment and waited.
 

Shortly thereafter, the suspect left his hiding place and the chase was on.  Daniel Ruiz (12/27/74) was captured in the 6000 block of Villa, but fought with Officers as they tried to handcuff him.  After a brief struggle Ruiz was cuffed and positively identified by a witness. 

Ruiz was also found to have an outstanding warrant and arrested.  He was charged with three counts of Burglary of a Vehicle, Evading and Resisting Arrest, along with  and the outstanding Board of Pardons and Paroles Violation warrant.  Officers were able to notify all three auto burglary victims.  A backpack taken by the suspect and the stolen items inside were returned to their owners.  The stolen items included loose coins, lighters, two cell phones, and some cash.

Adam District

Early Morning Munchies Lands 23-Year-Old in Jail

Occurred on 6/15/12, 02:35 am  Driving While Intoxicated   4545 Violet   1206150021 

Police responded to the Whataburger at 4545 Violet Road where they met with Corpus Christi Port Police Officers who reported they found Timothy Jay Alonzo (01/03/89) passed out in the drive-thru.  Alonzo who appeared to be intoxicated was administered Standard Field Sobriety Tests and a Blood Draw. 

Alonzo was arrested and booked at the City Detention Center.  He was charged with Driving While Intoxicated.

Patrol Division, Traffic Safety Division

Traffic Citations for the Month of May Released

The Corpus Christi Police Department under Chief Simpson’s request began the Enhanced Speed Initiative which targeted speeders throughtout the city’s roadways.  The Enhanced Speed Initiative and the Speed Blitz main goals are to slow down motorists in order to prevent accidents and save lives.  Both the police department’s Traffic and Patrol Divisions’ issued 4,752 citations for May 2012.

The citations ranged from speeding, failure to secure cargo, to riding a bicycle without a light. The following are the top 10 violations for which cititations were issued:

  • Speeding~1,294
  • No Seat Belt Violation +15 years of age~443
  • Failed to Maintain Financial Responsibility~423
  • No Driver’s License~392
  • Expired Registration ~300
  • No Valid Inspection Certificate~286
  • Unsafe Speed~202
  • No Seat Belt~105
  • Failed to Display Drivers License~99
  • Failed to Maintain Responsibility-3rd or more~86

The Enhanced Speed Initiative will continue in the weeks ahead, so drive the limit and avoid the ticket.  If you have speed or parking issues in your neighborhood, please contact us at 886-COPS.

Community Outreach

City Hall Neighborhood Meeting Scheduled

The Corpus Christi Police Department and the Code Enforcement Division of Neighborhood Services would like everyone living in the City Hall area to attend a community meeting at City Hall, 6th floor Conference Room (1201 Leopard Street) on Thursday, June 14, 2012 from 6 PM to 7 PM . 

We will discuss efforts to clean-up the neighborhood in the City Hall area and any areas of concern. Please join us and bring a neighbor! Let’s work together to make a difference in your neighborhood.

Solid Waste Operations will also be sponsoring a special collection for brush and bulky items on Monday, June 25, 2012.

Charlie District

Midnight Outing Lands Couple in Jail

Occurred on 6/14/12, 12:29 am  Wanted Subjects  4100 Shaw Street  1206140001/1206140007

Shortly after midnight Amy Garcia (12/18/79) was pulled over as she rode her bicycle without a headlight in the 4100 block of Shaw Street.  Garcia who had the smell of Marijuana about her was found to be wanted and arrested.   

While Officers were arresting Garcia, her boyfriend Simon Rodriguez walked up to them, also smelling like he had been smoking Marijuana.  Rodriguez was found to be wanted and also arrested. 

Garcia was charged with an outstanding Municipal Court warrant for Failure to Appear in the amount of $352 and Bicycle Defective Headlamp.  Rodriguez was also charged with an outstanding Municipal Court warrant for Failure to Appear.  His bond set $313.  

 The Police Department reminds pedestrians to walk against traffic and wear light-colored clothes at night or a reflective vest. If you are riding a bike, the traffic code states while riding at night your bicycle must have lights on the front and back. You should ride with traffic and also wear light-colored clothing or a reflective vest.  Drivers also need to be on the lookout for bikes and people on our roadways.

Charlie District

Two Men Arrested At Sacky Drive Checkpoint

Occurred on 6/13/12, 10:10 pm  Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon  2700 Sacky Drive 1206130153 

Officers working a driver license checkpoint contacted the occupants of a bronze 2011 Chevrolet sedan when they observed backseat passenger Octavio Baldemar Garcia II (05/20/84) hide a fully loaded pistol underneath the backseat.  The front seat passenger lied to Officers about his name and date of birth.  He was identified as Richard Lopez (11/14/79) and found to have an outstanding warrant. 

Garcia and Lopez were arrested and booked at the City Detention Center.  Garcia was charged with Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon and two outstanding Municipal Court warrants for Public Intoxication and Failure to Appear.  Total amount due for the two warrants is $762.  Lopez was charged with Nueces County Motion to Revoke Probation warrant for Dangerous Drugs and Failure to Identify~Fugitive from Justice.  No Bond set on the warrant.

Delta District, Gang Unit, Patrol Division

Two Arrested For Deadly Conduct

Update to Case #1206100033 Deadly Conduct, 2529 Tarlton St.

Two men were arrested Wednesday for warrants for arrest they had for shooting at a house last Sunday at 3:40am.

Corpus Christi Police arrested 19-year-old Israel Mendoza (7/28/1992) and 20-year-old John Flores (2/18/1992) for discharging a firearm at a residence located at 2529 Tarlton Street. No injuries were reported in relation to the deadly conduct on Tarlton St. Corpus Christi Police obtained the warrants for the arrest of the two men, then apprehended them at their place of residence.

Each is charged with Deadly Conduct, a 3rd degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

John Flores
Israel Mendoza

Corpus Christi Police Daily Blotter