Delta District

9-Month-Old Kidnapping Victim Returned Uninjured After Kidnapper Arrested

Occurred on 3/19/12, 5:28 p.m.   Kidnapping/Burglary of a Habitation  3002 Antelope   1203190127

The Corpus Christi Police Department arrested Cordera Ray Walton (07/18/88) for the kidnapping of a 9-month-old infant female.

On March 19, 2012, at approximately 5:28 p.m. the police department received a 911 call reporting a kidnapping of a 9-month-old baby from the Spanish Oaks Apartment complex.  The victim’s grandfather told Officers, Walton and another male pushed their way into the home and assaulted him. 

Both men left in a gold 2000 Chevrolet Suburban taking the child with them.  An intense search for the child proved fruitful when the vehicle and Walton were located at the 1100 block of Josephine Street. 

Walton was taken into custody and the child who was uninjured was later taken back to Spanish Oaks by a family member. 

Walton was arrested and charged with Burglary of a Habitation Intending Other Felony and Kidnapping.  He is currently booked at the City Detention Center.

The Corpus Christi Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to this crime to contact the Criminal Investigation Division at 361-886-2841.  Callers can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS.

Delta District

Husband & Wife Hospitialized After Party Comes to a Violent End

Occurred on 3/18/12, 04:30 am   Aggravated Assault   112 Blevins   1203180035 

Officers responded earlier to the residence for a disturbance, but prior to the Officers arrival, the suspects left in a pick-up truck.  A later call for police assistance advised the suspects had returned and several shots had been fired. 

Officers arrived to find a very chaotic scene with several hysterical family members assisting a 33-year-old Hispanic male who been beaten and left lying in the street. 

The victim’s wife told Officers they were leaving the residence when a pick-up truck blocked their exit and two men dragged her husband from the truck.  The men began to hit the victim with a baseball bat and a crowbar. As the victim’s wife hurried to help her husband, one of the males pulled a handgun and began firing.  She was struck once on her back as she ran away. 

Both victims were taken to Spohn Memorial with non-life threatening injuries. 

One suspect was described as a 36-year-old Hispanic male, 5’11” feet tall, and weighing 240 lbs.  The second suspect was described only as a Hispanic male.  Both fled in an older pick-up truck.  

Anyone having information regarding this crime is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or call the Corpus Christi Police Department Homicide/Robbery Bureau at 361-886-2841.

Bravo District

Pedestrian Struck When Failing to Use Crosswalk

Occurred on 3/17/12, 8:03 p.m.  Major Accident   5940 SPID   C1202062

Officers responded to an accident in which the driver of a white 1997 Dakota Tacoma pick-up truck struck a pedestrian as he attempted to cross S. Padre Island Drive.  The victim failed to use a marked cross walk.

The 30-year-old victim sustained life threatening injuries and was taken to Spohn Memorial where he remains in critical condition.

The 32-year-old driver of the pick-up truck was cited for Driving While License Suspended/Invalid.

Delta District

Victim Robbed in Early Morning Trip to Laundry Mat

Occurred on 3/18/12, 07:30 a.m.  Robbery   3700 Leopard   120318044 

Officers responded the Woodlawn Shopping Center and contacted the 52-year-old victim who reported he was in the laundry mat when two persons asked him for directions. 

The New York native was unable to provide directions, but was able to pull a map up on his phone and show it to the suspects.  As they were talking near the suspects’ vehicle, one of them grabbed his phone and they began drive off in a blue Ford Explorer.  

The victim grabbed the phone and hung on to the sports utility vehicle as it sped off.  He was dragged 40 to 60 feet before he fell off.  The victim sustained minor scrapes to his face, arms, and legs.  He refused to be taken to the hospital for medical treatment, but was treated at the scene, by CCFD Emergency Personnel.  He was later escorted to the Spohn Memorial by Officers. 

The suspect is described as a Hispanic female, 22 to 27 years of age, 5’5” feet tall, and weighing 130 lbs.  She was accompanied by a Hispanic male, 24 to 28 years of age, and weighing 200 to 230 lbs. He was last seen wearing a black shirt and pants. 

Anyone with any information regarding this crime can call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or the Corpus Christi Police Department Homicide/Robbery Bureau at 361-886-2841.

Community Outreach

Chief Simpson Meets the Public

Corpus Christi Police Chief Floyd Simpson conducted several “Meet and Greet” events this week which included the Black Chamber of Commerce on Friday, March, 16, 2012.

Girl Scout Troop 9631 opened the event with a flag ceremony and led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chief Simpson was introduced by the President of the Corpus Christi Black Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Ann Tryon, on the 6th floor of the City Hall.  The Chair of the Corpus Christi Black Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Geraldine Johnson provided a welcome to the gathering and the Assistant City Manager, Troy Riggs provided opening statements to introduce Chief Simpson.

Mayor Joe Adame watched from the side as Chief Simpson shared comments about the city. “I plan to be here a long time.” Chief Simpson said. “This is not a fly-by-night operation for me. I saw the good progress the city team started in this city and I wanted to get on board before we reached the finish line.”

City Councilman Mark Scott, District 32 State Representative Todd hunter, Nueces County Sheriff JIm Kaelin, Corpus Christi Fire Chief Robert Rocha, and District 34 State Representative Connie Scott were among those in attendance for Chief Simpson’s welcome by the Chamber.

             

Bravo District

Single Vehicle Fatal Crash on Yorktown

Occurred March 16, 2012 4:40am  Vehicle Crash that involved Death   C1201995

Corpus Christi Police responded to a single vehicle crash at about 4:40 Friday morning which involved a death. Police and medical crews were called to the 6000 block of Yorktown for a vehicle that left the roadway and struck a brick wall.

Police discovered a white 2003 General Motors Corporation Yukon with front right damage and found a single occupant of the vehicle. The driver of the Yukon was taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital. The driver of the vehicle expired and experts with Corpus Christi Police Traffic Division were summoned to document the crash.

The medical examiner will conduct an inquiry to determine the cause of death of the driver. Officers at the scene collected information that indicates the driver may have suffered a medical condition prior to the crash causing the vehicle to travel off the roadway.

Bravo District

Passenger In A Knife Fight Over Lowering A Car Window

Occurred March 15, 2012 1:56pm Aggravated Assault 5100 Staples  1203150069

A 21-year-old man was arrested Thursday in the area of Staples and S.P.I.D. for aggravated assault after an argument with a roommate over lowering a car window.

Corpus Christi Police were called to the 5100 block of South Staples where an off duty police officer and a retired federal agent had stopped a fight with a knife that happened in the roadway. Police learned that 21-year-old Scott Lohman (2/8/1991) was in a fight with his 21-year-old roommate.

The 21-year-old victim explained that Lohman drove a brown 2011 Chevy Malibu and would not permit the victim to lower the window. The victim was the passenger in the car and when he complained about the heat; Lohman turned on the heater to the vehicle. The passenger asked Lohman if Lohman intended to kill him. Lohman then presented a knife and said that the knife would kill the passenger, not the heat.

The passenger and Lohman struggled for control of the knife. The two then exited the vehicle and continued to fight until the fight was stopped by an off duty police officer and a retired federal agent.

The passenger had minor, non-life threatening cuts as a result of the struggle. Lohman was arrested and delivered to the city detention center.

Criminal Investigations Division, Delta District

Update on In-Custody Death

On Sunday February 12th at about 2:14 AM, the Corpus Christi Police Department and the Corpus Christi Fire Department were called to a home in the 1700 block of Morales to assist a man who was reportedly having difficulty breathing. The responding public safety personnel discovered a 48-year-old man displaying obvious signs of medical distress.  Sr. Officer Mike Wertanen and Officer Brandon Cordell assisted the medics by restraining the man and placing him in handcuffs.  This allowed the medics to provide emergency medical treatment.  Medics subsequently transported the man by ambulance to Christus Spohn Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. 

Today, March 15, 2012, the Nueces County Medical Examiner ruled the death as a homicide.  Although a homicide means that the nature of the death was not natural, it does not indicate the death was caused by any wrongdoing.

The Corpus Christi Police Department Criminal Investigation Division will continue with the investigation into the matter.  Once the investigation is complete, the case will be presented to the grand jury.  This is the standard procedure in all in-custody deaths.

As is also standard procedure, an internal administrative review that was started immediately following the event will continue.  This review will determine if the policies and procedures of the Corpus Christi Police Department were followed.

The Officers involved will remain on restricted duty pending the outcome of the investigation and the ruling by the Grand Jury.

Information released on February 15, 2012 by the Corpus Christi Police Department

Corpus Christi Police Department Homicide Detectives are continuing their investigation into the death of a 48 year-old man who died following a struggle with police officers and medics early Sunday morning at a home in the 1700 block of Morales Street. On Sunday February 12th at about 2:14 AM, the Corpus Christi Police Department and the Corpus Christi Fire Department were called to the home to assist a man who was reportedly having difficulty breathing. The responding public safety personnel discovered a 48-year-old man displaying obvious signs of medical distress. Before he could be treated, the man began struggling with the medics. Officers assisted the medics by restraining the man and placing him in handcuffs. Officers did not deploy their Tasers nor utilize pepper spray to subdue the man. After being handcuffed, the man suddenly quit breathing. Officers immediately removed the handcuffs so the medics could begin CPR. Medics then rushed the man by ambulance to Christus Spohn Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Homicide Detectives are continuing to interview witnesses to the incident, including family members and the emergency personnel who responded to the scene. The Nueces County Medical Examiner’s Office has completed an autopsy on the man, but the final report has not yet been released pending the results of certain tests. Two of the responding Officers have been placed on Administrative Leave, which is standard Police Department procedure in all such instances. They are Senior Officer Mike Wertanen, a 22 year veteran of the Police Department, and Officer Brandon Cordell, who has four years with CCPD. The Officers will remain on leave pending the outcome of a thorough investigation by the Criminal Investigation Division. Once the investigation is completed it will be submitted to the District Attorneys Office and presented to the Grand Jury, which is standard procedure in all in-custody deaths.

 Note: Click here to see the original information released by the Corpus Christi Police Department http://wp.me/p1D8kP-11H

Adam District, Criminal Investigations Division

Morning Homicide on Omaha Drive

Occurred March 15, 2012 8:00am  700 Omaha Dr.  Aggravated Assault    1203150025

Corpus Christi Police were called to the 700 block of Omaha Drive at 8:00am Thursday morning in reference to a shooting.

Police Officers found a man who had an injury consistent with a gunshot wound. The man believed to be an age of early twenties was immediately taken by ambulance to the Spohn Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Police closed off the street to traffic to search for clues about this event. Police are searching for an older model white vehicle that may be related to this event.

The victim of this crime expired at the hospital as a result of the injuries. Homicide detectives are investigating leads and request any information from the public in relation to this crime.

Anyone with any information about this event is encouraged to notify police or call crime stoppers at 888-TIPS or log on to http://www.888TIPS.com.

Delta District

Several Arrested After Fights on The Beach

Occurred March 13, 2012 6:40pm Interference with Public Duties/resisting Arrest; Warrant for arrest, 1203130127, 1203130108

Two people were arrested at Beach Marker 206 Tuesday after several fights. Police responded to several fights on the beach and discovered an injured man who lay on the beach in a crowd. The crowd would not provide room for the away from the injured man to allow medical staff to treat the injuries, so Police Officers picked up the injured man to move him to a safe place for treatment.

Twenty Three year old Dustin Jones (8/18/1988) moved between emergency staff and the injured man preventing any treatment. Jones asked repeatedly to know who caused the injuries and announced retaliation. Jones was told by police to provide room to allow treatment; but Jones refused. Jones was told he was under arrest for interference with public duties and Jones caused a physical confrontation with the police officers. Jones was arrested for Interference with Public Duties, a Class B misdemeanor offense, and for Resist Arrest, Search, or Transport, a Class A Misdemeanor offense.

Police identified 18-year-old Timothy Thompson (1/26/1994) involved in the disturbance at Beach Marker 206 and discovered Thompson had an active warrant for his arrest so Thompson was arrested.

Corpus Christi Police Daily Blotter