What’s Mine Is Ours

Occurred on 2/20/12, 03:04 a.m.  Possession of a Controlled Substance   Arlington Drive/Blanco Court   1202200018

Officers pulled over a red 1992 Chrysler New Yorker for driving without headlights and contacted the occupants who appeared to be hiding something.  The driver Moises Munguia (09/11/58) was detained in a police vehicle while Officers conducted their investigation. 

While one of the Officers kept an eye on the passenger Jose Reyna (09/04/77), he observed Reyna reach over the driver’s side and throw a baggy containing a very large rock of Crack Cocaine onto the floorboard.  Total weight of the Cocaine was 41.03 grams. Neither Munguia nor Reyna claimed ownership of the baggy and both were arrested.

Both were charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, while Reyna was additionally charged with an outstanding Municipal Court warrant for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility in the amount of $221.  Officers seized $1,200 from Reyna.  Munguia was also cited for Driving without Lights and Failure to Display Driver’s License.

Victim Stabbed as He Walks Home

Occurred on 2/18/12, 5:56 p.m.  Aggravated Assault   Kostoryz/Norton     1202180110

Officers contacted a 27–year-old assault victim at Doctor’s Regional Hospital who reported he was assaulted as he walked home.  Victim told Officers he was attacked by three Hispanic males who began to kick and punch him.  The males continued to assault him as he lay on the ground. 

One of the males slashed at him with a knife lacerating his forearm as he protected his face.  The victim’s injury was serious and will require surgery.

The armed suspect is described as Hispanic male, 16 to 22 years of age, 5’8” to 5’10” feet tall and weighing 150 to 180 lbs.  The other two males are described as Hispanic males.

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.

Walk, Ride, and Drive Safely to “Keep Corpus Christi Safe”

Safety is a shared responsibility for all road users, to ensure pedestrian, bicyclist, and motorist safety. In an effort to “Keep Corpus Christi Safe,” we are asking the community to place a high priority in traveling safely to prevent accident related fatality tragedies.

The Corpus Christi Police Department encourages pedestrians, motorists, and cyclists to follow these Safety Tips:

Pedestrians

  • Before crossing a roadway, stop, look, listen, and think before crossing the road.
  • Pedestrians, never assume the motorist has seen you and will stop for you. If a driver is on a cell phone, they may not be paying enough attention to drive safely.
  • Always cross at a pedestrian marked cross walk or at a traffic signal light.
  • Be seen. At night wear light-colored clothing and cross in a well-lit area.
  • Stand clear of buses, hedges, parked cars or other obstacles before crossing so drivers can see you.
  • Always walk on the sidewalk; if there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic.
  • Obey traffic signals such as WALK/DON’T WALK signs.

Cyclist

  • Ride with the traffic flow
  • Obey all traffic laws
  • Bicycles must have a front and rear light
  • Wear light clothing and reflective vest, especially at night
  • Pay attention at all times
  • Look both ways before turning
  • Lookout for parked cars in case of

Motorists are encouraged to always be aware of your surroundings, be alert, patient, and watch for pedestrians and cyclist at all times.

Motorists

  • Scan the road and the sides of the road ahead for potential pedestrians.
  • Before making a turn, look in all directions for pedestrians crossing.
  • Don’t drive distracted or after consuming alcohol or other drugs. Do not use your cell phone while driving.
  • Never pass/overtake a vehicle that is stopped for pedestrians.
  • Obey speed limits and come to a complete stop at a STOP sign.
  • Use extra caution when driving near children playing along the street, or older pedestrians who may not see or hear you.
  • Always be prepared to stop for pedestrians or take immediate evasive actions to prevent a serious accident. 

Corpus Christi Police Department Hit & Run Section Needs Your Help

On February 13th, Corpus Christi Police Senior Officer Enrique Roman was seriously injured while he investigating a motor vehicle accident in the 5000 block of South Padre Island Dr. The officer was struck by a stray wheel and tire that apparently became dislodge from a passing vehicle. The Police Department did not have any information on where the tire came from or how it happened.

The community stepped up and several calls came into the Police Department about the incident. The Police Department was able to find out after talking to several witnesses that the tire came off a large trailer and the driver did not know what happened.  When the police and community work together police investigations can be solved.

In the past several weeks the Police Department has seen an increase in traffic accidents involving pedestrians and bike riders being struck by vehicles. The Police Department needs your help in solving these accidents that have occurred in the past several weeks.

The first one happened on February 1st in the 700 block of Park Avenue around 9:42AM. A pedestrian was found lying on the roadway with critical injuries from having been struck by a vehicle. Witnesses tell investigators that a red truck was traveling east on Park Avenue when the victim ran out into the street not in a cross walk and was struck by the truck.

The second one was a fatality accident that occurred on February 11th in the 7300 block of McArdle around 9:39PM. The pedestrian was walking westbound on McArdle when she was struck by a vehicle traveling in the same direction. A white pickup or large SUV was seen traveling westbound at the time of the accident.  The vehicle may have some minor damage to the right front.

The third was also a fatality accident that occurred on February 16th at the corner of North Brownlee & Caldwell around 9:20PM. This accident involved a man riding his bicycle north on Brownlee when an unknown vehicle struck him from behind, throwing him off the bike. There was no information on the vehicle that hit the bike rider.

The Police department is reaching out to the community to help in solving these terrible accidents. If anyone one with any information regarding these accidents please call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or the Police Department Traffic Division Hit & Run Section at 361-886-2596.

As stated above when the Police Department asked the public for help in the accident involving Senior Officer Roman, the public promptly helped out.  We ask the community to aid us again and help solve these Hit & Runs.  Remember, we can’t do it alone and seek your assistance.

        The City of Corpus Christi has had six fatality accidents so far this year, last year at this time we had nine. This year several have involved bike riders and pedestrians. The Police Department reminds pedestrians to walk against traffic and where light-colored clothes at night or a reflective vest. If you are riding a bike, the traffic code states at night the bike will have lights on the front and back. You should ride with traffic and also where light-colored clothing or a reflective vest.  Drivers also need to be on the lookout for bikes and people on the road.

City Manager Appoints New Police Chief

City Manager, Ron Olson, announced his selection today to fill the Corpus Christi Police Department Police Chief position as Mr. Floyd D. Simpson of Dallas, Texas.  “Mr. Simpson has a strong commitment to community policing,” said Ron Olson. “There is no doubt he will be able to continue the great work started in Corpus Christi but also help the department become the benchmark to other cities,” added Olson. Mr. Simpson’s appointment will begin March 12, 2012.

Mr. Simpson is currently the Assistant Police Chief in Dallas, Texas. He has over 20 years of policing experience including serving as an Assistant Chief of Police over both administration and patrol divisions during his tenure. Along with day-to-day activities of Assistant Police Chief, Simpson has also been involved in key projects including NFL Super Bowl XLV, community policing 2.0 back to patrol initiative and contributing to the historical 8 consecutive years of overall crime reduction in Dallas. Simpson is a graduate of Western Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science degree, Amber University with a Master of Business Administration and the 214th session of the FBI National Academy. He has been married for 24 years and has four children.

“I’m looking forward to calling Corpus Christi home. The department has really come a long way and I want to keep the momentum going,” said Floyd Simpson.  “The community is making a difference in policing and I’m seeing it first hand in Corpus Christi. I think it will be great fit for me and my family,” added Simpson. The City is currently planning a public reception to allow residents an opportunity to meet the new police chief and his wife. As details are finalized an announcement will be made public.

Good Old Fashioned Police Work Leads to Burglary Suspect

Reported on 2/16/12, 08:18 a.m.  Burglary of a Building/U.U.M.V.  611 Palm Drive     1202160025/1202160032

Patrol Officers responded to the Nueces County Records Building Street for a burglary and a stolen vehicle.  Further investigation revealed the suspect or suspects had stolen the vehicle along with a safe.

The suspect or suspects fled in the stolen white 1999 Ford F-150 pick-up truck with Nueces Count logos on the doors.  Shortly thereafter the stolen truck was located in the 700 block of Stillman by Enduro Units Senior Officer Billy Browning.

Enduro Units Senior Officers Browning and Jeff Davis continued their search for the suspect(s) and checked Spanish Oaks Apartments at 3002 Antelope Street. Witness reports led the Officers to one of the apartments in the complex. 

Officers about to knock on the door when a Black male began to walk out of the apartment giving them a clear view of a safe inside the apartment.

The male, Harold Whyne McDowell (08/05/77) was detained while Detectives and Officers conducted their investigation.

McDowell was arrested and charged with Theft and Possession of a Controlled Substance when Cocaine was found in the residence. 

Drug Selling Graffiti Vandal Arrested in Late Evening Raid

Narcotics officers executed a search warrant at 4114 Carlton as part of an initiative to target suspected graffiti offenders selling narcotics in the city.

The search warrant resulted in the seizure of three handguns, one of which is stolen out of this city along with an assault rifle.  Officers also seized 1.83 lbs. of Marijuana which was packaged for sale in addition to 4.76 grams of Cocaine and 7.30 grams of Methamphetamine.

Also seized were numerous graffiti instruments, graffiti documents and other graffiti paraphernalia.

Richard Trevino (08/05/89) a known graffiti vandal was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana and Possession of a Controlled Substance. The inside of this address was covered with the same graffiti that has plagued the 78415 area.

Graffiti Task Force Detective Steve Smith also responded to the residence and assisted in the investigation as part of our new multi-divisional partnership to address the graffiti problem.

Possible charges for graffiti and possession of a stolen weapon may follow after further investigation.

HITS Triathlon Rolls into Corpus Christi

On Saturday, February 18th and Sunday, February 19th, the HITS Triathlon Series will be held in our beautiful city. Over 500 athletes will be challenged in a combination of swimming, biking, and running events throughout the city.

Mark Wilson, the Race Director feels the city is ripe for these types of activities and foresees Corpus Christi as being international venue.

The Police Department will have over 50 Officers along with the Traffic Division working traffic control along the route between downtown and the National Sea Shore.

On both days expect traffic delays and seek alternate routes to your destinations along the triathlon route. Competitors will have a protected traffic lane from the American Bank Center to Cole Park and will continue in the bicycle lane as they head southbound towards Ennis Joslin Drive and S. Padre Island Drive. From S.P.I.D. and Paul Jones Drive they will have a protected traffic lane coned for them until they reach the National Sea Shore.

Please be aware of the participants and take extra caution for both the athletes and the Officer while driving along the route, especially on the S. Padre Island Drive. Beginning Friday at 10 PM and early Saturday morning, Traffic Officers will cordon off the triathlon route with cones and barricades.

The triathlon will at start at 7 AM each morning and carry on into the evening hours. Please visit the HITS Triathlon website at http://hitstriathlonseries.com/corpus-christi-tx/ for maps and event locations.

Investigation Continues into Death of Man Following Struggle with Police and Medics

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.

Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Fugitive Task Force Unites Local Agencies in Pursuit of Wanted Criminals

Since January 1, 2012, the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Fugitive Task Force, comprised of the United States Marshals, the Nueces County Sheriff’s Dept., Texas Department of Corrections, and the Corpus Christi Police Department, have arrested over 50 wanted subjects in the Coastal Bend Community. Of the 50 plus arrests, over 30 have been for violent offenders here in Corpus Christi TX.   The following are a few of these very notable arrests. 

Donna Susan Taylor (09/16/69) was arrested for the murder of her boyfriend in the early morning hours of Feb. 4, 2012 by the US Marshalls Fugitive Task Force in College Station, Texas.  After a thorough investigation, CCPD Homicide Detectives were able to gather evidence and obtain a Murder warrant.  Her bond was set at $200,000. (Offense report #1201160057) 

Townsel Myers (06/26/57) was initially arrested for the assault of an acquaintance at a local bar on Christmas Day in 2011.  Due to the severity of the injury, the charge was upgraded to an Aggravated Assault and a new warrant issued.  On January 12, 2012, Myers was tracked to a Corpus Christi address and arrested by the task force.  He was also found to be wanted on a Parole Violation War myersrant for Murder. (Offense report #1112250005 and #1201120031)  

Shahnawaz Umer (07/20/86) was arrested for shooting a 37-year-old male in the hand and identifying himself as a Corpus Christi Police Officer on October 22, 2011.  He was charged with Aggravated Assault and Impersonating a Public Servant.  He was later accused of trying to interfere with the investigation and Tampering with a Witness.  On January 6, 2012, the task force arrested him on three outstanding warrants at 3201 S. Staples one of which was a Felony Bond Violation out of Nueces County. (Offense report #1201130049) 

Jason Michael Garcia (10/07/67) was first placed under arrest when he assaulted and then threatened his wife with a knife.  He was charged with Aggravated Assault w/Deadly Weapon.  Task force members arrested him at 5902 Ayers Street on January 12, 2012, when they were notified of an outstanding Probation Violation warrant for Aggravated Assault.  (Offense report #1009050143 and #1201120101) 

Supervisor Deputy Carlos Alvarado and Supervisor Deputy Russell O’Rielly are in charge of the task force which covers Nueces, Kleberg, San Patricio, Aransas, Brooks, Jim Wells, Duval, Refugio, Kennedy, Live Oak, and Bee Counties.  The task force consists of seven U.S. Marshals, one Sheriff’s Officer, one TDC Officer and two CCPD Officers who daily pursue our most wanted. 

CCPD Senior Officers Matthew Harmon and Heleodoro Cantu who were deputized in 2007 and 2010, respectively, have proven to be a valuable asset to the department and to the task force.

Corpus Christi Police Daily Blotter