Community Outreach

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.

Delta District

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.

Community Outreach, Criminal Investigations Division

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.

Adam District

Driver Is All Hands as he Gives Himself Up

Occurred on 2/14/12, 8:59 p.m.  Rollin Stolen   5500 Leopard     1202080030

Senior Officer J.A. Gonzales was patrolling his district when he observed the driver of a maroon 1999 Buick Regal not wearing a seatbelt.  The Officer turned around and pulled behind the Buick who was stopped for a red light at McBride and Leopard Street.

The Officer activated his emergency equipment and the driver immediately put both his hands up and out the driver’s side window.  At the same time, the Officer was being advised by dispatch the vehicle was stolen.

Bruce Garcia (12/18/93) was arrested and charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.

The Regal had been stolen on February 8, 2012 from Mica’s Lounge at 705 S. Port Avenue.  The vehicle was impounded and will be returned to the owner.

Charlie District

As Valentine’s Day Ends, Squabble Over Female Ends in Shooting

Occurred on 2/15/12, 12:13 a.m.  Aggravated Assault   1620 Greenwood Drive     1202150003

 Officers responded to Rack Daddy’s Billiards for a shots fired call.  Upon their arrival, Officers found the 28-year-old victim lying on the sidewalk being attended by CCFD Emergency Personnel.  The victim was bleeding from a gunshot wound to his legs.

He reported to Officers a confrontation ensued with another male over his “relations” with the man’s girlfriend.  As the victim and his friend walked away from the quarrel, the suspect began shooting at them as they fled.  A gold SUV cut off their escape and the victim was fired at again.   He sustained a gunshot wound to both his legs and taken to Christus Spohn Memorial Hospital for medical treatment.

The suspect was described as a 28-year-old Hispanic male, 5’8” feet tall, and weighing 250 lbs.  He was last seen wearing a white shirt and long dark shorts.  He was last seen fleeing in the gold Sports Utility Vehicle.

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.

Criminal Investigations Division

Forgery Suspect Sought

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Corpus Christi Police Department Financial Crimes Unit Detectives would like the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect involved in the forgery at the Stripes Convenience Store located at 2002 Morgan.  On February 6, 2012, Patrol Officers contacted store personnel who reported a fraudulent check was passed at the store.

The store clerk reported the customer asked to reload a pre-purchased debit card using a check which did not clear.  Store personnel received a fraud alert on both the check and cards.

The suspect is described as a red-haired White male, 30 to 40 years of age and 5’10” to 6’2” feet tall.  He fled in a red pick-up truck driven by an unidentified driver and were last seen traveling westbound on Morgan Street.

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

 

Delta District

Officer Struck by Stray Tire Recuperating in Hospital

On February 13th, Corpus Christi Police Senior Officer Enrique Roman, 29, was seriously injured while he investigated a motor vehicle accident on the 5000 block of S. Padre Island Drive. Roman was standing near the passenger door of one of the wrecked cars parked on the side of the freeway, when he was struck by a stray wheel and tire that apparently became dislodged from a passing vehicle.  Roman was rushed by ambulance to Christus Spohn Memorial Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery.  He is currently in the Intensive Care Unit, but expected to recuperate completely and eventually return to full duty.  The entire Corpus Christi Police Department family extends their best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery to Officer Roman.

Senior Officer Roman is a seven-year-veteran of the police department and was recently selected as a Field Training Officer. Roman had recently received a commendation for his work with the students of San Pedro Elementary in Robstown, Texas.

CCPD Traffic Investigators believe the tire came off a large construction type trailer, likely one with dual wheels on both sides.  Investigators believe the vehicle was entering the Everhart Road on-ramp when the wheel and tire broke loose, striking Officer Roman.  According to the Traffic Investigators, it is quite likely that the driver of the vehicle didn’t notice the missing wheel and tire until he/she reached his/her final destination.  The Traffic Investigators do not believe there was any criminal intent to avoid stopping and rendering aid, based on their preliminary investigation, but are asking the responsible driver to come forward so they can complete the crash investigation. Anyone with information regarding this accident is encouraged to call Traffic Investigator S. Leeton at 361-886-2689.

This accident, although extremely rare, underscores the danger Police Officers and Fire Fighters face on a daily basis while directing traffic or responding  to wrecks on our streets and highways.

The Texas Legislature recognized these dangers and as a result  approved the “move over” law which went into effect on September 1, 2003.  This law requires drivers to move over to the left away from the lane closest to the emergency vehicle.  If unable to do so, drivers should slow down to 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit.  All police vehicles, ambulances, or fire vehicles are covered under this law.

The “move over” law was passed  to make it safer for Officers and Emergency Personnel to work accidents and enforce traffic laws on our roadways without the added concern of being struck down by passing motorists.

According to the Officer Down Memorial Page,  60 Law Enforcement Officers died last year in vehicle related incidents, four  of which were struck by a vehicle and twelve killed by vehicular assault.  The roadways proved equally deadly for Texas Police Officers in 2011, with seven of the thirteen Officers killed in the line of duty as a result of motor vehicle related incidents.

Bravo District

DWI Driver Hits Fence

Occurred on 02/13/12, 11:35 p.m.   Driving While Intoxicated   12700 Hearn Road     1202130013

Officers worked an accident in which a black 1996 Dodge Dakota pick-up truck traveling eastbound on Hearn Road lost control and struck a chain link fence. 

The driver who appeared to be intoxicated was administered a Standard Field Sobriety Tests and a blood draw warrant obtained.

Jorge Salinas (10/01/86) was arrested and booked at the City Detention Center.  He was charged with Driving While Intoxicated.

Charlie District, Traffic Safety Division

Officer injured after being struck by tire

On Monday evening, 2/13/12, at about 6:48PM, Corpus Christi Police Officers responded to a traffic accident in the 5000 block of SH 358 (SPID) east bound between Everhart and Staples (C1201106). The vehicles involved in the accident were pulled over on the right shoulder of the highway.

At about 7:02PM, while working the accident, a police Officer on the passenger side of one of the vehicles was struck from behind by a tire. The tire knocked the Officer into the car he was standing next to. Although there were other Officers at the scene, and witnesses in the original vehicle, no one saw where the tire came from. It is possible the tire came off a trailer or out of a truck bed and the driver had no knowledge of the tire loss. It is also unknown if the tire came from a vehicle on the highway or the access road. The tire did not come off of either of the cars involved in the first accident.

The 29-year-old male Officer, is believed to have sustained a broken leg. He was taken to Christus Spohn Memorial Hospital by ambulance. A 20-year-old male, who had stepped from one of the vehicles involved in the first crash, was ‘brushed’ by the tire before it struck the Officer. He was treated and released by Medics at the scene.

CCPD Traffic investigators were called to the scene to investigate the second accident (C1201109).  The highway and the access road were both closed during the investigation. The highway was re-opened at 9:11PM.

The Corpus Christi Police Department would like to speak to anyone who may know where the tire came from. If you have information about this accident please call the Police Department at 886-2600, or you can call Crime Stoppers at 361-888-TIPS if you wish to remain anonymous.

Any additional information about this accident will be released by the CCPD PIO Office at www.ccpdblotter.com.

Charlie District

Two DWI Drivers Found Sleeping in their Automobiles

On February 11, 2012 at 9:25 PM, Officers responded to the intersection of Kostoryz Road and S. Padre Island Drive for a male slumped over the steering wheel.  Upon their arrival, Officers discovered the driver asleep in the still running vehicle with his foot on the brake pedal.

The driver was awakened and appeared to be intoxicated.  He was administered Standard Field Sobriety Tests and a Blood Draw.

Roberto Salinas (02/13/85) was arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated. (Offense Report #1202110132)

Several hours later, on February 12, 2012 at 1:49 AM, a second driver was also found passed out in his vehicle with his foot on the brake and the vehicle still running at the intersection of Gollihar Road and Ayers Street. 

Joel D. Orgas (01/16/71) was also issued Standard Field Sobriety Tests and a Blood Draw.  He was arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated and an outstanding Municipal Court warrant for Failure to Appear in the amount of $319.  (Offense Report #1202120013)

Corpus Christi Police Daily Blotter