Delta District, Traffic Safety Division

Officer On A Motorcycle Involved In A Crash

Occurred Wednesday, March 28, 2012 11:06am Police Motorcycle Crash C1202311

Senior Officer B. Browning, while on duty and on a motorcycle, was involved in a vehicle crash at the 400 block of South Carancahua Street Wednesday morning.

The Enduro Unit traveled to the left side of a tan Chevy Trail Blazer. The Trail Blazer changed direction into the lane the officer traveled which caused the officer to lose balance and fall to the ground. The officer struck his helmet on the pavement.

The operator of the Trail Blazer stopped the vehicle and helped the officer momentarily until other officers arrived. The woman in the Trail Blazer then left the scene, but returned when she learned she was involved in the crash. Investigators believe there was no contact between the vehicles and the woman was not aware that she was involved in the crash when she left the scene.

Witnesses to the crash told police that the woman may have been talking on her cell phone when the unsafe lane change was conducted. The woman in the Trail Blazer was cited for the crash.

The officer on the motorcycle was transported to Spohn Memorial Hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Corpus Christi Police warn motorists to watch for all vehicles, especially smaller vehicles like motorcycles and bicycles, when traveling on the roadway. Police warn to check all blind spots and carefully pay attention to all who share the road.

Corpus Christi Police also warn that use of the cell phone while operating a vehicle may be a distraction. The use of a hands free device is the best option if a phone call is necessary while operating a vehicle.

Delta District

Thieves Steal Lawn Mower While Owner Is Home

Occurred Tuesday, March 27, 2012 11:34am Theft 100 block of Del Mar Blvd. 1203270040

            A team of thieves were seen in the Del Mar neighborhood on Tuesday morning and police would like additional information from the public to identify those responsible.

A 45-year-old man drove the 100 block of Del Mar Boulevard at about 11:30am and saw two Hispanic men enter the back yard to a house. The witness is a friend to the owner of the house and so the witness watched as the two Hispanic men carried a lawn mower to a dark color Sport Utility Vehicle that had a paper tag in place of a license plate. The witness called police and the sport utility vehicle sped away before police arrived.

The witness later discovered the victim of the theft was home at the time of the crime. Police were told the value of the mower is about $700.

Police later contacted a green Ford Expedition with paper tags in place of a license plate that was parked at the 300 block of Laurel which intersects with Santa Fe. Police officers identified two occupants of the Expedition. Police were not able to connect the Expedition to the crime on Del Mar Boulevard at the time of the contact, so the Expedition and the occupants were released.

Citizens are encouraged go logon to Crimereports.com to view the reported criminal activity in their neighborhood. This tool is also a venue to provide tips to Crime Stoppers to reduce the crime in the area.

Police continue to investigate this theft and request anyone with any information to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or logon to www888TIPS.com. The information provided could earn the caller a cash reward.

Bravo District

Party At The Shores Ends With A Stabbing

Occurred Monday, March 26, 2012 8:20pm Aggravated Assault 7350 McArdle 1203260144

A 20-year-old man was arrested Monday night after a 19-year-old was stabbed outside a party at the Shores Apartments.

Witnesses told police that the 19-year-old victim went to a truck to get a cooler and 20-year-old John Ford Hardie (10/2/1991) made a confrontation. Witnesses said a fist fight escalated to the point that Hardie stabbed the 19-year-old. Hardie then fled the scene on foot before police arrived.  The victim was taken to the hospital with what police describe as non-life threatening injuries.

Police were directed to the crime scene and discovered much of Hardie’s property left behind after the fight. Police collected evidence and saw Hardie return to the scene where he was arrested for Aggravated Assault with a deadly weapon.

The charge against Hardie is a 2nd degree felony which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

Community Outreach

New Phoenix Police Chief has Local Ties

The Phoenix Police Department’s newest Police Chief was born and raised in Corpus Christi and hails from a family with a strong tradition in law enforcement. On Monday March 26th, Phoenix City Manager David Cavazos named Daniel V. Garcia as Police Chief for the City of Phoenix.  Daniel V. Garcia is the brother of Corpus Christi Police Department Assistant Chief J.V. Garcia.  The Garcia family tradition of community service doesn’t end there.  Two other brothers are also Texas Police Officers; Luis Garcia is a Detective with the Houston Police Department, while Ruben Garcia is a Detective with the CCPD.

Chief JV Garcia Promotion
Newly appointed Phoenix Police Chief Daniel V. Garcia pins the badge on his brother, CCPD Assistant Chief J.V. Garcia during 2011 Promotions Ceremony

“I think it is fantastic,” said CCPD Assistant Chief Garcia.  ” Daniel is a good cop,  a great supervisor, and even better administrator.   I am confident that he will move the Department in a positive direction.   With a strong work ethic and a commitment to duty, Daniel will quickly demonstrate to the citizens of Phoenix what a good choice they have made.  He is a true professional.”

Chief Garcia Promotion 2011
Newly appointed Phoenix Police Chief Daniel V. Garcia and CCPD Assistant Chief J.V. Garcia at 2011 Promotion Ceremony

Daniel V. Garcia is a 33 year veteran of the Dallas Police Department, and served as an Assistant Police Chief alongside newly appointed Corpus Christi Police Chief Floyd Simpson.  “Daniel “Danny” Garcia and I have been friends for more years than I can remember,” said Chief Simpson.  “He has always conducted himself in a moral and ethical manner. He is an extremely knowledgeable police practitioner that will serve the City of Phoenix well. On behalf of the men and women of the Corpus Christi Police family I wish Chief Garcia much success.”

The Phoenix Police Department has approximately 3,055 sworn officers and a budget of over $500 million. Garcia will begin his new assignment in May.

http://www.phoenix.gov/news/032612policechief.html

Adam District, Criminal Investigations Division

39 Year Old Arrested For Murder

Occurred March 27, 2012 300 Westchester Murder Warrant Service 1203150025

Corpus Christi Police Homicide Detectives supported by the United States Marshal’s Gulf Coast Violent Offender and Fugitive Task Force arrested 39-year-old Xavier Harvey Salinas (5/3/1972) for a warrant for arrest for the murder of Nathaniel Vargas.

Corpus Christi Police investigated the death of Nathaniel Vargas on the 700 block of Omaha Drive on Thursday, March 15, 2012 at about 8am. The investigators with the assistance of the Corpus Christi Police Gang unit evaluated evidence and identified Xavier Salinas as the person responsible for the crime.

Salinas was arrested at his place of employment at the 300 block of Westchester at 8:53am. Corpus Christi Police continue to investigate additional information about this case.

The Corpus Christi Police would like to thank the members of the community who assisted with the collection of information to resolve this investigation.

Delta District

Church Burglar Caught In The Act

Occurred March 26, 2012 10:50pm Burglary of a church building 1203260166

A 51-year-old man was arrested Monday night when he was caught in the act of burglary to a church.

A neighbor called police and provided information that a man forced entry into the Inglesia Bautista Emmanuel Church located at 1101 Tenth Street. Patrol officers arrived and saw 51-year-old Tiofilo Garcia (3/15/1961) inside the church. Garcia ran from the police officers and was apprehended. The patrol dog Laroy went into the building to insure there were no additional suspects in the building.

Officers determined that Garcia attempted to take air conditioners from the church so Garcia was arrested for burglary and delivered to the city detention center.

Garcia was charged with burglary to a building, a state jail felony which is punishable by up to 2 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Garcia was also charged with evading arrest or detention, a Class A misdemeanor which is punishable by up to 1 year in jail and up to a $4,000 fine.

Bravo District

Late Night Robbery At a Restaurant

Occurred Monday, March 26, 2012 11:32pm  Aggravated Robbery 6542 Staples 1203270003

Two men used a gun when they conducted a robbery at the 6500 block of Staples Street Monday night at a restaurant that was closed for business for the night.

The manager of the store went outside the building to get a mop when he was approached by a man who presented a pistol and demanded the valuables from the manager. A second suspect appeared with a prybar displayed as a weapon. The suspects escorted the manager into the restaurant and went to the office. The robbers then took cash and left the restaurant. No injuries were reported to police.

The first suspect is described as a black male that wore a black long sleeve button up shirt, black pants possibly Dickies brand and black shoes. The first suspect wore a black hood/mask over his head with eye holes cut out and was wearing white athletic gloves with black trim and may work, or has worked, in the restaurant business. A witness said the black shoes worn by the first suspect appeared to be from a Shoes for Crews catalog and looked like the Explorer Style. The witness also observed the backpack used by the first suspect which appeared to have the JanSport logo.

The second suspect is described as a black male that wore a black hoodie, black pants and black shoes with a white cloth covering his face with eye holes cut out and was wearing black gloves.

Both suspects are estimated to be in age between 25 to 35 years.

Police would like help from the public to obtain additional information about this crime. Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at 888TIPS or logon to www.888TIPS.com. The information provided could earn the caller a cash reward.

Adam District, Criminal Investigations Division

$8,000 In Copper Taken From A Business

Occurred Monday, March 26, 2012 overnight Copper Theft 1203260034

Over $8,000 worth of copper was stolen from a business overnight and Corpus Christi Police would like help from the community to apprehend the persons responsible.

Police were called to 8421 Up River Road for theft of copper. The manager of the business told police that the air conditioner units for several portable offices were damaged and the copper was removed. The manager of the business said the theft took place over the weekend between Friday at 6pm and Monday at 8am.

Anyone with any information should call crime stoppers at 888TIPS or logon to www.888TIPS.com. The information provided may earn the caller a cash reward.

Delta District

Man Arrested For Shooting At An Apartment Building

Occurred Saturday, March 24, 2012 7:35pm Aggravated Assault 1203240126

A 23-year-old man was arrested Saturday night after he shot at an apartment on the 1000 block of 25th Street.

Corpus Christi Police were called to the apartments on the 1000 block of 25th Street at 7:35 pm after witnesses saw 23-year-old Joe Guerrero (2/27/1989) discharge a firearm at one of the apartments. The witnesses said some people took the firearm away from Guerrero and then Guerrero forced his way into an apartment. Witnesses said Guerrero made threats to the people inside the apartment until Guerrero was forced outside the apartment.

Police arrived and Guerrero ran from police officers. Police officers captured Guerrero and Guerrero struggled with police until Guerrero was restrained.

Guerrero was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault, Burglary with intent to commit a felony, Criminal Trespass, Evading Arrest, and Resist arrest, search or transport.

No injuries were reported and police continue to investigate the reasons for this confrontation.

Bravo District

Road Rage Results in Stabbing

Occurred Sunday, March 25, 2012 2:05am   Aggravated Assault 1203250031

A 26-year-old man was arrested Sunday morning for stabbing a 17-year-old man after a confrontation over poor driving.

Corpus Christi Police were called to a gas station at 7201 South Padre Island Drive for a fight that ended with a person cut by a knife. Officers arrived and met the 17-year-old victim who told police that he was stabbed after confronting a man about poor driving. Police described the victim’s injuries as non-life threatening.

Police were told that the confrontation started on the highway and the two drivers went to the gas station and exited their vehicles. The victim said he and the other driver got into a fist fight and then the victim was stabbed. The victim told police his attacker left before police arrived.

Police were provided information about the attacker and 26-year-old Jamal Alexander Dennis (2/24/1986) was arrested at his house for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The charge is a 2nd degree felony which is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment and up to a $10,000 fine.

Police encourage everyone not to confront aggressive drivers or take out frustrations on other drivers. Concerned drivers should call police at 911 to report any safety hazard.

Corpus Christi Police Daily Blotter