Community Outreach

Crime Stoppers First Quarter Report

The Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers organization would like to thank the Corpus Christi community for the support provided to bring criminals to justice. The Crime Stoppers board is pleased to provide the statistical information for the first quarter of 2012 which spaned from January 1 until March 31, 2012.

The Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers organization received 1,456 calls that resulted in 34 arrests between January first and March 31, 2012. The tips called into Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers recovered $3,825 in stolen property, resulted in $7,260 in seized drugs, and obtained 4 contraband weapons in the first quarter for 2012. There were 12 fugitives captured through information provided to the Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers program in this first quarter of 2012.

The Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers approved 27 rewards for $4,178 paid to those that provided tips that resulted in arrests of offenders.

Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization certified by the Governor’s office and solely supported by donations and the local media. This organization is independent from the Police Department, and consists of a non-paid volunteer board that works with Corpus Christi Police Coordinators.

The coordinators serve as liaisons between the Board, the Police Department, the media and other law enforcement agencies. Crime Stoppers provides an avenue for the citizens of Corpus Christi to report crimes anonymously through the use of a hotline and pays rewards to tipsters.

Anyone with any information about an unsolved crime is encouraged to call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 888-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-827-TIPS. The information provided is anonymous and could earn the caller a cash reward.

Secure tips can be submitted online at www.888TIPS.com or visit the TipSubmit mobile app.

Community Outreach, Delta District, Patrol Division

In Memory Of A Fallen Officer, Roy Smith

By: Captain John Houston

On April 20, 1953, 59 years ago, Patrol Officer Roy Newton Smith was responding to a fight call when his patrol car was struck by another car at Staples and Lipan. Smith died of his injuries that day. Smith was 21 years old and had been on the department for just 4 months at the time of this tragic accident. Roy was married to Laverne Smith and had come here from Wichita Falls, Texas to work at the department. Roy and Laverne had one daughter Gail. Roy served with distinction in the Army having served in the Korean conflict before joining the department. Please take a moment out  of your day to remember our fallen brother. Our prayers remain with him and his family and may we never forget him and his sacrifice. Roy Smith is the fourth officer to die in the Line of Duty for the Department.

As a side note, we were able to locate his only daughter Gail Michalsky of Spring, Texas who never had a chance to know her father and she attended her first Police Officers Memorial Service last year. She was given a copy of the Wall of Honor photo by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott.

Bravo District, Delta District

Fedora Wearing Carjacker Arrested After Pursuit

Occurred on 10:54 pm  Aggravated Robbery, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Evading Arrest  322 Oleander Avenue 1204180146/1204180144/1204180151       

Late Wednesday night, Officers contacted the 25-year-old victim who reported he was carjacked at gunpoint.  The victim told Officers he was at a Flour Bluff Stripes Convenience Store when a White male requested a ride.

The victim agreed and drove the male back into town, but the male asked the victim to take him to several locations as he conducted his errands.  While at a Dodd Street residence, the male pulled a handgun and demanded the victim take him to the area of Morgan and SH 286.  Once they arrived at the intersection, the male ordered the victim out of the car.

A B.O.L.O. (Be On the Look Out) was issued for the suspect and the vehicle, within minutes an Officer spotted the stolen Caprice as the driver was parking the vehicle in the alley behind Club 7, 512 S. Staples.  The Officer drove up behind the Caprice and as he exited his police car, the driver fled refusing to stop.  A pursuit ensued through the neighborhood onto Agnes and Staples for several minutes until the driver bailed out taking a hard fall. The Caprice traveled on and struck a parked blue Cobalt in the 300 block of Oleander.

The driver took off running as the Officer chased him a couple of houses over where he attempted to enter a relative’s residence.  A struggle ensued in which Kevin James Cisneros (09/21/79) was tasered and taken into custody.

The suspect was taken to Spohn Memorial by CCFD Emergency Personnel where he was medically treated for a broken arm and some road rash.   Cisneros was arrested and booked at the City Detention Center.  He was charged with Aggravated Robbery, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Evading Arrest in a Vehicle, along with an outstanding Municipal Court warrant.

Adam District

Speed Arrested for Reckless Driving

Occurred on 4/18/12, 2:48 am   Reckless Driving & Failure to Identify   Columbia Street/West Point Road    1204180012

Officer V. Ortiz was driving behind a green Buick in the 1100 block of Blooming when the driver failed to signal or stop at the Stop sign.  As the Officer followed the vehicle, the driver Marquis Eugene Speed (01/25/88) began to accelerate as he traveled on Columbia Street driving 25 miles over the posted 35 mph speed limit.

Speed traveled on failing to stop and for another Stop sign before he finally pulled over.  He misidentified himself to the Officer several times before providing his real name.

Further investigation revealed Speed was low on fuel and in a hurry to get home.  It was also discovered he was an unlicensed and uninsured driver.  Speed was arrested and his vehicle impounded.

Speed was charged with Reckless Driving, Failure to Identify, Failure to stop at a Stop Sign, along with Driving without a License, and No Proof of Financial Responsibility.

Adam District, Traffic Safety Division

Truck Collides With Parked Car On IH 37 And Causes Disruption For Traffic

Occurred Wednesday, April 18, 2012, Traffic Crash Interstate Highway 37 at Southern Minerals Rd. C1202950

A man was taken to the hospital Wednesday morning after a crash with a parked vehicle on Interstate Highway 37.

Traffic was directed off the highway from 7:10am until 9:40am while crash scene investigators obtained measurements and collected evidence.

A Chevy truck traveled south on Interstate Highway 37 toward downtown Corpus Christi and traveled into the right shoulder where the truck struck a parked vehicle. The parked vehicle was thrown into an area between the freeway and the access road. The truck moved across all three lanes of the freeway and struck another vehicle. There were three vehicles involved in the crash.

The parked vehicle was unoccupied. The operator of the truck in the initial collision was transported to the hospital with severe injuries. The person in the third vehicle suffered minor injuries.

Corpus Christi Police continue to investigate the cause of the crash.

Corpus Christi police warn motorists to exercise patience while driving. Slow down or vacate the lane of travel nearest to any vehicle stopped near the road. Slowing the vehicle reduces the risk of injury and accidents.

Adam District, Criminal Investigations Division

Police Search For Bank Robber On Leopard St. Near Violet Rd.

 

Occurred April 17, 2012, 1:25pm, Robbery, 11115 Leopard St. 1204170083

Corpus Christi Police searched the area of Leopard Street and Violet Road for a bank robber Tuesday afternoon.

A man entered the Prosperity Bank on Leopard and presented a demand note to the teller. The man was described as a white male, mid 20’s to early 30’s in age, he stood 6 feet tall and weighed about 170 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes, unshaven and wore a camouflaged fisherman’s hat, a tan shirt and blue jeans.

The man took money from the teller and ran from the bank. The man was last seen running west on Leopard toward Violet Road. It is not known if the man was armed.

Everyone is encouraged to become aware of criminal activity in their area through research of reported crime in Corpus Christi by Crimereports.com.

Anyone that knows the man responsible for this robbery should not attempt to apprehend the man; but, should instead call police. Anyone with additional information about this crime should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or log on to www.888TIPS.com. The information provided could earn the caller a cash reward.

Charlie District

Stabbing Victim Refuses to Provide Details of Assault

Occurred on 4/17/12, 7:46 am   Aggravated Assault  Gollihar Road/Hwy 286 NB   1204170030

The Police Department received a second party 911 call in which the sister of the victim was reporting her brother had been stabbed and could be found by a barber shop near 4900 Ayers Street.  Officers were unable to locate the victim, but the sister was able to provide several other locations in which her brother might be at.

Officers searched Kostoryz and S. Padre Island Drive, the Port Ayers bus stop, and Hwy 358.  He was finally found on the side of State Hwy 286 Access Road at Gollihar Road.

The victim sustained multiple stab wounds in the upper torso and was rushed to Spohn Memorial by CCFD Emergency Personnel.  At this time, there is no known motive for the stabbing as the uncooperative victim would not provide Officers with more information.

Anyone having any information regarding this crime is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or the Corpus Christi Police Department Homicide/Robbery Bureau.

 

Charlie District

Son Arrives to Find Burglars in Mother’s Driveway

Occurred on 4/17/12, 6:32 a.m.  Burglary of a Habitation   501 Cunningham     1204170016

Officers responded early this morning for a disturbance in which burglars were being held at gunpoint.  The call was updated that suspects were no longer at the residence.

Officers contacted the 34-year-old victim who reported he arrived to find a couple suspects loading property into a vehicle.  The victim drew his firearm and commanded the suspects to surrender, but they sprinted into the neighborhood leaving their pick-up truck behind.  The victim was not injured.

The suspects are described as two Hispanic males, 5’8 feet tall, 20 to 40 years of age, and weighing 200 to 220 lbs. They were last seen wearing dark-colored clothing with light-colored baseball caps.

Officers searched the area, but were unable to locate the suspects.  They did find several items in the bed of truck which had been taken from outside the residence.  They included an air conditioner, portable fire bowls, propane tank, and BBQ pit valued at $1,050.  The items were returned to the victim. 

While impounding the vehicle, Officers also discovered a quantity of Cocaine, Methamphetamine, and Heroin.

Anyone having any information regarding this crime is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or the Corpus Christi Police Department Property Crimes Unit at 361-886-2841.

Charlie District

Local Man Arrested in La Salle County Vehicular and Intoxication Manslaughter Investigation

Occurred on 4/16/12, 0848 a.m.   Wanted Subject   4322 Carlton Street     1204160030

Officers looking for a wanted subject checked a couple of locations on Carlton Street and were able to locate a female with several outstanding warrants.

The wanted suspect’s mother told Officers he was home and allowed Officers inside.  Angel Lopez Guerrero (12/10/81) was arrested and booked at the City Detention Center.

Guerrero was charged with three outstanding warrants out of La Salle County for Vehicular Manslaughter, Failure to Stop and Render Aid, and Intoxication Manslaughter.

Charlie District

Marijuana Aroma Gives Suspect Away During Traffic Stop

Occurred on 4/17/12, 12:35 am Possession of Marijuana & Controlled Substance   5488 SPID     1204170001

Officers pulled over a brown 1998 Chevrolet Suburban for a couple of traffic violations when the odor of Marijuana could be smelled from the vehicle.

Further investigation revealed the driver Michael Garza (06/05/78) had a metal box with several ounces of Marijuana in it along with some Zanax pills.

Garza was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession Drug Paraphernalia.

The Possession of a Possession of Marijuana is punishable by up to two years, but not less than 180 days in jail and punishable by a fine up to $10,000, while the Possession of Controlled Substance is a Class “A” Misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and up to a $4,000 fine.  The Possession of Drug Paraphernalia is a Class “C” Misdemeanor which is punishable up to $500.

Corpus Christi Police Daily Blotter