In support of the City Hall Neighborhood Improvement Initiative, the Corpus Christi Police Department  Narcotics Vice Unit conducted two separate search warrant operations on Tuesday afternoon.  The City Hall Initiative is a cooperative effort between several city departments to improve living conditions and eradicate drug dealing in the neighborhood surrounding City Hall.  The target area is bordered by Staples Street to the east, Laredo Street to the south,  S.H. 286 on the west, and IH 37 to the north.

At approximately 2:30 p.m., Officers with the Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Unit simultaneously served search warrants at 508 Mexico and 315 Josephine Streets, resulting in the arrest of one man and the seizure of a substantial amount of crack cocaine and over $1,500 in cash.

At 508 Mexico, Narcotics officers discovered that the target of the warrant, Jesusa Martinez (DOB: 03/18/93) had been arrested the night before by patrol officers while in possession of 23 rocks of crack cocaine.  During the search warrant, Narcotics officers located a shotgun and uncovered several Code violations.  Code Enforcement Officers assisted during the warrant and began an immediate investigation into the violations.  The landlord told Officers he would begin eviction proceedings against Martinez.

Officers at 315 Josephine found Jonathon Terrell Finklea (DOB: 03/15/81) in possession of 28 grams of crack cocaine and $1,552 as well as some ammunition.  Finklea was arrested and booked at the City Detention Center.  Finklea’s landlord also agreed to begin eviction proceedings against him.

Narcotics Vice Investigations Unit Captain David Cook said he is confident that with the continued diligent work of his unit’s personnel, the drug dealing problem in the area will be significantly diminished.  Cook stated, “This police action is only the beginning of a concerted effort by the Corpus Christi Police Department, Code Enforcement, Solid Waste, and the Graffiti Unit to address the ongoing quality of life issues in the area.” Cook added that his officers have obtained an additional 11 arrest warrants for suspected drug dealers in the City Hall Initiative area; officers will continue to serve the warrants throughout the coming days and weeks.

Occurred on 6/4/12 5:24 p.m.  Robbery  1235 Second St.  1206040125 

A 67-year-old man told Officers he was late paying his rent and a roommate’s friend threatened to cut off a finger per day until it was paid as they shopped at a local department store.  The suspect then chest bumped the victim and threatened to kill him.  The victim told the suspect Gregory Springer aka Eric Springer (10/22/93) he would pay his rent once he received his settlement and they returned home. 

The victim said he was shaving when Springer, a friend of his roommate’s grabbed him from behind and placed him in a chokehold.  Springer then used a knife and held it against the victim’s arm.  He demanded the victim’s car keys and cell phone.  The victim passed out and his car keys along with his phone were missing when he regained consciousness.  Springer finally returned the keys and phone after a trip to a nearby convenience store.  It was then the victim was able to leave and call police. 

According to the victim, his roommate was not involved in the robbery and kept telling the suspect to return the car keys and phone.  The suspect was found at 1235 2^nd Street and taken to the victim’s location where he was positively identified.  Springer was arrested and charged with Aggravated Robbery and Terroristic Threats.  His bond was set at $25,000 for the Aggravated Robbery and $500 for the Terroristic Threats.

Occurred on 6/2/12, 10:24 pm  Aggravated Robbery  3033 S. Port  1206020151/1206020155 

Officers responded to the H.E.B. on Port Avenue for a fight in progress.  Upon their arrival  they contacted the store’s loss prevention officer who reported observing Eric Longoria (09/29/84) attempt to walk out of the store with a loaded grocery cart filled with  beer and wine. The loss prevention officer who is disabled tried to stop Longoria by blocking his path with his wheelchair.  A witness took the cart away from Longoria and returned it inside the store.  Longoria retaliated by punching the loss prevention officer in the jaw as he sat in his wheelchair.

A store customer who observed the assault told Longoria he should not have hit the victim as he was only doing his job.  The customer then walked away and was punched in the back of the head and face.  The customer tackled Longoria and the fight was on.  Longoria who was bleeding from his face and nose fled the store, but was later apprehended by Lt. D. Garcia as walked on Sarita and Tarlton Streets.   He was returned to the H.E.B. where he was positively identified and arrested. 

Longoria became very combative, cursing and spitting at Officers.  He was taken to Spohn Memorial for medical clearance for injuries he had received in a fight prior to his arrest.  While being treated, Longoria kicked another Officer in the knee and threatened his safety.  Longoria was charged with Aggravated Robbery, Assault on a Public Servant, and Retaliation.

The loss prevention officer was treated at the scene minor injuries sustained in the assault.  The unidentified customer left the store after Longoria fled.  The stolen cart full of beer and wine was recovered.  The total value of the alcohol was $111.