Adam District, Patrol Division, Traffic Safety Division

18 Wheeler Blown Off Road Thursday Night

Occurred Thursday, May 10, 2012, 10:40pm, 8600 Interstate Highway 37 C1203589

Corpus Christi Police Officers were busy as a result of severe weather overnight Thursday with several vehicle crashes, roadways obstructed by debris, and high water hazards.

Winds were reported to have caused a truck tractor and a semitrailer to roll over. The trailer hauled asphalt and the operator of the vehicle was taken to the hospital by ambulance with non-life threatening injuries. No other vehicles were involved in the crash. The recovery crews returned at 10:00am Friday morning to provide cleanup of the crash scene.

The 52 year old operator of the vehicle was not cited for any traffic offense. The cause of the crash is believed to be high winds. The vehicle traveled north on Interstate Highway 37 in the right lane and landed in the ditch on the right side of the road.

Adam District, Patrol Division

Man Arrested For Attempted Kidnapping

Occurred Thursday, May 10, 2012, 7:40pm, 1900 Archdale attempted kidnapping 1205100124

An 8-year-old girl is safe after a 67-year-old man was arrested for attempting to force the girl into a home at the 1900 block of Archdale Thursday night.

A 30-year-old woman told Corpus Christi Police Officers a man grabbed her 8-year-old daughter and attempted to force the girl into a home. The girl was released by the man when other people saw the struggle. The girl was unharmed but frightened. The girl provided police with the address and a description of the man.

Corpus Christi Police Officers went to the address and met 67-year-old Joseph Hasty (2/10/1945). Hasty was identified as the person that attempted to take the girl into his home and Hasty was arrested for kidnapping.

Kidnapping is a third degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

Corpus Christi Police have a few safety tips: parents to teach their children to be aware of their surroundings; play in a group as there is safety in numbers; don’t talk to strangers; if anyone sees anything unusual, call police immediately. Parents are encouraged to research reported criminal activity and registered sex offenders in their neighborhood. The best source for reported criminal activity and valuable information in Corpus Christi is Crimereports.com.

Criminal Investigations Division, Delta District

Help Needed to ID Male Who Exposed Himself to Student

 

Occurred on 5/7/12, 2:38 pm Indecent Exposure 101 Baldwin Boulevard 12005080018

Corpus Christi Police Department Detectives are asking the public’s assistance in identifying a male who exposed himself to a Del Mar College student checking her grades at the Garcia Science Building.  The student told Officers she observed a male standing by the doorway who followed her up the stairs to the second floor, remaining by the stairwell.

The victim told Officers she checked her grades and as she returned to the stairwell to exit the building she observed the male still standing in the stairway looking at her through the door’s window. As she entered the stairwell she observed the male exposing himself.  The victim walked by the male, ignoring him, but the suspect followed her as she walked to her vehicle. The victim was able to safely enter her car and observed the suspect leave in a small green two-door vehicle.

The suspect is described as a Black male, 25 to 35 years of age, 5’8” feet tall and weighing 180 lbs. He was last seen wearing a short sleeve shirt and long dark shorts.  Anyone with any information on this crime is encouraged to call Crimes Stoppers at 888-TIPS or you can also submit a tip online, visit the www.TipSubmit.com website to submit a secure e-mail tip.  The information provided could earn the caller a cash reward.

The Police Department recommends that you always be aware of your surroundings, partner up with a friend or family member, always take the elevator, and keep your cell phone with you at all times.   Keep yourself safe by trusting your “sixth sense or your intuition,” if a situation feels unsafe, avoid it.  For further information on Personal Safety Tips or to schedule Personal Safety presentation, please contact Crime Prevention Advisor Brenda Moreno at 361-886-2568.

Bravo District

Officer’s Intuition Helps Him Catch Burglar

Occurred on 5/9/12, 3:29 am   Burglary of Habitation   3310 Samoa Dr.   1205090014                                                      

The 42-year-old victim told Officers he was in his bedroom watching television when someone opened the door and walked in.  The suspect was using the cell phone keypad light to navigate inside the home.  The victim shouted at the suspect who fled.  Officers checked the home and found the suspect had helped to himself to some ice cream and Kiwi fruit. 

A search for the suspect proved unfruitful, until Officer C. Alejandro who was at the Stripes Convenience Store, 3053 Waldron Road, observed three males walking towards the store.  One of the males entered the store, but the other two males turned around and walked away when they saw him.  Officer Alejandro “sensing something was wrong” went in search of the two males and found Chris Bright (04/16/994) hiding behind some trash cans.  

Bright lied to the Officer about his name, but provided his real date of birth which allowed dispatchers to find out his real name.  A short struggle ensued as Bright refused to follow the Officer’s request, pulling away as he attempted to check him for weapons.  Bright was taken into custody.  

Further investigation revealed Bright had a firearm in his backpack along with a Xbox Kinect, several games, cell phones, and a GPS system.  The property was found to be stolen and returned to the victim at 3310 Samoa.  The GPS system was found to be stolen from 3409 Tahiti and returned to the victim.  Officers were unable to find the owner of the firearm, an MP3 player, or several cell phones found in the suspect’s possession.   Bright was charged with Burglary of a Habitation, Failure to Identify, Resisting Arrest, Search, or Transport.

Delta District

Laundry Employee Uninjured During Robbery

Occurred on 5/9/12, 11:41 pm  Aggravated Robbery   1722 Prescott Drive    1205090084 

A Jiffy Express Wash Coin Laundry employee reported she was working at her desk when a Hispanic male armed with a steak knife walked in and demanded money.  The employee complied with his demand and the suspect fled on foot with an undetermined amount of money.

Officers searched the area for the suspect, but were unable to locate him.  He is described as a Hispanic male, 19 to 21 years of age , 5’8” feet tall, and weighing 140 lbs.  He was last seen wearing a black shirt black shorts, and a baseball cap.

Anyone with any information on this robbery is encouraged to call Crimes Stoppers at 888-TIPS or you can also submit a tip online, visit the www.TipSubmit.com website to submit a secure e-mail tip.  The information provided could earn the caller a cash reward.

Adam District

18-Wheeler Accident Shuts Down IH 37

Occurred on 5/9/12, 10:32 am   Major Accident   13200 IH 37    C1203539  

Officers reported an 18-wheeler traveling on 77 NB turning onto IH 37 NB when the semi-tractor trailer lost its load, an empty 10,000 gallon fuel tank.  The truck veered off and struck the center barrier blocking all lanes.  Officers discovered the fuel tank was not secured correctly and rolled onto the grassy median of the access road. 

Traffic was diverted from IH 37 onto Redbird Lane until the vehicle was removed from the Interstate and a fuel spill from the tractor-trailer was cleaned up.  The Texas Department of Transportation  responded to inspect the damaged Jersey Barrier, whilst the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to check the status of the fuel spill. 

The 30-year-old driver received minor injuries in the accident.  He was cited for a load securement violation.

Bravo District

Woman Charged with Intoxication Assault After Colliding with man on Scooter

Laura Jane Palanza

Occurred on 5/9/12, 8:43 pm   Intoxication Assault w/a Vehicle  2000 Waldron Road   1205090151/C1203558

Laura Jane Palanza (04/16/68) who was driving a silver 2006 Mazda Tribute after she collided with a motorist on a red Qianjiang motor scooter. Officers found wreckage from the scooter strewn across six city blocks.   The 27-year-old male was taken to Spohn Memorial with serious injuries.

A witness told Officers she observed Palanza driving on Waldron Road dragging motorcycle parts.  The witness followed Palanza getting her to stop and get out of her car.  Several witnesses to the accident also arrived and helped keep Palanza from leaving.

Palanza who appeared to be intoxicated was taken to Spohn Shoreline for a mandatory Blood Draw.  She was medically cleared and booked at the City Detention Center.  Palanza was charged with Intoxication Assault with a Vehicle which is 3rd Degree Felony and punishable up to  10 years in prison along with a $10,000 fine.  She was additionally charged with Accident Involving Injury/Death.

Bravo District

Jolly Arrested Trying to Sleep It Off On Stranger’s Front Porch

Occurred on 5/9/12, 01:49 am  Possession of Marijuana   5800  OsoParkway  1205090010 

The 60-year-old homeowner reported to call-takers someone was attempting to open his front door and was now lying on his front porch.  Upon their arrival Officers found Gregory Jolly (01/23/87) sleeping on the owner’s porch, oblivious as to his whereabouts. 

Jolly appeared to be intoxicated and arrested.  He was also found to be in possession of a quantity of Marijuana.  Jolly was charged with Possession of Marijuana and Public Intoxication.

Charlie District

Help Needed Identifying LJ Minimart Burglar

 

Occurred on 3/25/12, 2:09 am  Burglary of a Building   4801 Kostoryz   1203260119

Corpus Christi Police Department Property Crimes Detectives are asking the public’s assistance identifying the burglar who broke into the LJ Minimart.  Surveillance video showed a male enter the business early Sunday morning and take a box of cigars along with two bank bags containing an undetermined amount of money.

The suspect appears to be a Hispanic male and was last seen wearing a red hoodie.  Anyone with any information on this crime is encouraged to call Crimes Stoppers at 888-TIPS or you can also submit a tip online, visit the www.TipSubmit.com website to submit a secure e-mail tip.  The information provided could earn the caller a cash reward.

Bravo District

Good Samaritan Struck by Vehicle

Occurred on 5/9/12, 06:11 am Major Accident   Eastbound SH 358 at Nile   C1203526 

Officers report a pedestrian who was returning to his vehicle after assisting a stranded motorist was struck by a Toyota Corolla exiting the freeway.  The 53-year-old victim was taken to Spohn Memorial with severe trauma.  

Traffic Officers were called to assist with the accident investigation.  At this time, the Police Department does not anticipate filing charges on the 48-year-old driver.

Corpus Christi Police Daily Blotter