Bravo District

Early Morning Walk Ends in Robbery Attempt

Occurred on 4/16/12, 04:18 am   Aggravated Robbery   10121 SPID     1204160016

 A 34-year-old victim reported to Officers he was having trouble sleeping and decided to go for an early morning walk.  The victim told Officers he cut through the parking lot of Gulf Coast Marine when he was approached by a White male who asked for the time.

The victim reached into his pocket for his cell phone when the male confronted him demanding his phone.  The suspect swung a small wooden bat and struck the victim a couple of times.    The victim sustained minor injuries.

The suspect is described as a White male, 20 to 24 years of age, 6’ to 6’2” feet tall and weighing 160 to 180 lbs.  He was last seen wearing a black long-sleeved shirt and black shorts.  He was last seeing fleeing towards 1100 Sunburst.

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 at 361-886-2841.

 

Charlie District

Jingle Jangle of Tools Replaced by the Clinking of Handcuffs

Occurred on 4/15/12, 12:33 am   Theft    5798 Staples     1204150053

A witness reported to Officers he was at the O’Reilly Auto Parts when he was approached by a Hispanic male who was complaining how expensive tools were.  The witness engaged in conversation with the male, but could hear what he believed to be tools inside the man’s pant leg.  The male left the store without paying for the items. 

The male was located at the Park Apartments where he was found to be in possession of multiple tools.  Leonardo Benavidez (08/26/70) was arrested for the theft of tools valued at $195. 

Benavidez’s Class “B” Theft charge was upgraded to a State Jail Felony when it was discovered he had two or more previous convictions for Theft.  He was booked at the City Detention Center and the recovered tools returned to O’Reilly Auto Parts employee.

Delta District

Pedestrian Struck by Officer When He Fails to Cross at Marked Crosswalk

Occurred on 4/12/12, 8:50 pm   Pedestrian Accident   43200 Leopard Street C1202790

An Officer responding to a 911 call in which a nine-year-old called police due to his parents fighting was involved in an accident with a pedestrian who failed to cross at a marked cross walk.

The 43-year-old pedestrian attempted to cross the street as the Officer was traveling westbound on Leopard.  The Officer swerved to avoid hitting the male, but the mirror of the police vehicle struck the pedestrian. 

The male sustained minor injuries, but refused to be treated by CCFD Emergency Personnel. 

Neither the Officer, nor the pedestrian has been cited, but the accident is still under investigation by Traffic Investigators.

Community Outreach, Delta District

9-Month-Old Infant Rescued From Locked Truck

Occurred on 4/12/12, 11:09 am   Child Rescue    2961 Port Avenue     1204120054

A 9-month-old baby was locked in her grandmother’s red 2008 Ford F150 when the keys were accidentally left inside.  The distraught grandmother no longer able to wait for a locksmith requested the Officer to break the window fearing for the baby’s safety.

Officer R. Soliz used his tactical rescue knife to break the window.  The unharmed infant was quickly rescued and back  in grandma’s arms.

The rescue knives were donated by the Corpus Christi Police Academy Alumni to all Patrol Officers and Criminal Investigation Division Detectives and they will also be providing knives to the new Police Academy Cadets graduating Friday, May 11, 2012 at the Selena Auditorium beginning at 2:00 pm.

These tactical knives have proved to be valuable as they have been used to rescue a man locked in his vehicle suffering from a heart attack and cut seatbelts off trapped accident victims as well as saving children from locked vehicles. The rescue knives are used on a daily basis and the Police Department thanks the Corpus Christi Police Academy Alumni who have graciously provided Officers with the tools and equipment needed to make our community safer.

Police Department MetroCom Supervisor Cheryl Daubs encourages anyone with children to be sure to have an additional key, especially with the approaching hot weather.   It only takes a few minutes for the vehicle to get overheated and for a child to be in distress.

The Police Department recommends the following tips to avoid accidental lock-ins:

  • If a child is locked in a car, keep calm and call 911 immediately
  • Keep a spare key in your purse, pocket, or wallet
  • Make sure the vehicle is empty before remote locking
  • Always take children with you
  • The driver should always keep the keys, never leave them in the ignition, give them to the child or place them on a car seat.
  • Never let your child play with the car keys
Adam District

What Are Friends For?

Occurred on 4/12/12, 5:42 pm   Aggravated Assault/Burglary of a Residence   3233 Magnolia    1204120120/1204120123

Officers responded to a disturbance call involving the burglary of the 40-year-old victim’s residence by a friend which deteriorated when the suspect was confronted.  The victim reported to Officers he accused his friend of burglarizing his home and taking a starter along with some tools.

The victim sent an accusatory text to the suspect who reacted by showing up the victim’s residence where a disagreement ensued.  The suspect pulled a handgun and fired one gunshot in the direction of the freeway.  He then pointed the weapon at the victim and threatened to shoot him, but the weapon jammed. 

The suspect fled the residence in a green Pontiac, but was quickly located at his in-laws hiding underneath the house waiting for Officers to leave.

Roberto Morales Jr. (09/14/89) was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Burglary of a Habitation.  He was additionally charged with one outstanding Nueces County warrant for Failure to Appear and an outstanding Municipal Court warrant for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility in the amount of $794.

Both the Aggravated Assault  and Burglary of a Habitation are a 2nd degree felony and punishable by up to 20 years in prison and up to $10,000 fine.

Delta District

Two Suspects In Stranded Motorist Robbery Misidentify Themselves To Police

Occurred March April 11, 2012, 12:05 am   Robbery   2000 Red Oak    1204110001

Five people were arrested for aggravated robbery overnight in Flour Bluff after they posed as stranded motorists and robbed the man who stopped to help.

A 19-year-old man was on his way home from work at midnight when he saw a red 2000 Ford Escort stopped on the 2000 block of Red Oak. The Escort had the hood raised and a man outside the vehicle waved at the 19-year-old for help. The 19-year-old man stopped to help and was asked to provide a jump-start. The 19-year-old placed his car face to face with the Escort and exited his vehicle.

The man who posed as a stranded motorist then pointed a pistol and demanded the victim’s wallet and valuables. Several others exited the Escort and took the keys to the victim’s car and then the group fled in the Escort after taking the valuables. No one was injured in this event.

Corpus Christi Police Officers located the red Escort on Glenoak Drive. Police captured the seven participants to the robbery and recovered the valuables.

20-year-old Joshua Daniel Freeman (1/24/1992), 18-year-old Rene Robinson (1/11/1994), 20-year-old Amber Flores (2/1/1992), 21-year-old Gilbert Gomez (12/10/1990), 17-year-old Keanu Davis (10/25/1994), were arrested for Aggravated Robbery and Unlawful Carrying of Weapons then delivered to the city detention center. 

Joshua Daniel Freeman misidentified himself as Anthony Trevino, while Rene Robinson misidentified himself as Johnny Robinson.  Both were additionally charged with Failure to Identify.  Neither Anthony Trevino nor Johnny Robinson were involved in the Robbery.

The Aggravated Robbery charge is a 1st degree felony punishable by up to 99 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. The Unlawful Carrying of Weapons is a Class A Misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and up to a $4,000 fine. The Failure to Identify is a Class B Misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail and up to a $2,000 fine.

Corpus Christi Police recommend calling police if you see a stranded motorist to avoid a criminal opportunity.

Uncategorized

CCPD Officer facing Federal Charge resigns

Occurred April 11, 2012

Former CCPD Officer Robert McChester 27, submitted his letter of resignation Wednesday afternoon to Chief of Police Floyd Simpson.  McChester was arrested Tuesday by ICE agents for Online Solicitation of a Minor and was arraigned Wednesday before US Magistrate Judge Janice B. Ellington. McChester remains in federal custody.

Adam District

Two Arrested for Theft of Wire

 

Occurred on 4/11/12, 5:43 pm   Wanted Subjects   730 E. Cornelia     1204110105

Officer M. Thebeau investigating the theft of electrical cable valued at $2,600 from Scientific Drilling reported on March 19, 2012 checked all the recycling centers and was able to obtain information which identified the possible suspects involved in the theft.

Detective J. Garza with Property Crimes Unit was able to follow-up on the information and obtain warrants for both suspects.

Arturo Arce (10/17/81) and Mary Crystal Coronado (08/15/81) were arrested at 730 E. Cornelia and charged with the outstanding Nueces County warrants for Theft of Wire or Cable.  His bond was set at $25,000, while Coronado’s was set at $15,000.

Charlie District

Hit and Run Suspect Arrested

Occurred on 4/11/12, 4:20 pm  Hit and Run Accident/Evading Arrest   5100 Holly  C1202747/1204110094

Officers working a Hit and Run in which a white 2000 Mitsubishi Galant and a maroon 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche pick-up truck were both traveling eastbound on 5100 Holly Road.  The driver of the Galant who was traveling at a high rate of speed attempted to pass the Avalanche when the driver lost control and struck the pick-up truck.  The three occupants in the Avalanche were uninjured.

The driver Joshua Pantoja (02/08/92) fled and was found in the area of 5100 Wooldridge Road where he ran from the Officer.  A foot pursuit ensued through the neighborhood and Pantoja was caught in the 5000 block of Cascade with the assistance of citizen on a bicycle.

Pantoja was medically cleared and arrested.  He was charged with Evading Arrest and cited for Failure to Control Speed, Failure to Remain and Report an Accident, along with Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility.

Adam District

Local Lumber Yard Burglarized

Reported on 4/11/12, 08:03 am   Burglary of a Habitation   4343 Leopard     1204110016

Officers contacted the owner of Armstrong Lumber who reported the business had been burglarized during the night. Surveillance video shows a suspect climbing over the fence and forcing his way into the guard shack where he finds a set of bolt cutters. 

The suspect is seen rummaging through several cars and using the bolt cutters on the garage door.  Once inside he finds a cart and loads up a 300 lb. compressor.  He then makes his way to the fence where he cuts a hole in the fence and steals the $2,500 compressor.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, 23 to 28 years of age, 5’5″ to 5’8″ feet tall and weighing 170 to 180 lbs.  He was last seen wearing a Dallas Cowboy jersey and a glove on his right hand.

The surveillance video will be uploaded when obtained by the Property Crimes Unit.  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.

 

Corpus Christi Police Daily Blotter