At approximately 10:49 am officers were dispatched to the area of the 2500 block of HWY 181 northbound for a jumper on the bridge and a secondary call for a stalled vehicle.

Upon arrival, the reporting party advised that they were attempting to corral a cat that was on the causeway, unsuccessfully.    

It was determined that the cat had retreated in the wheel well of their vehicle.  Despite the location and the dangerous situation for all involved, officers attempted to remove the cat to a safe location.  

At the moment the officer grabbed the cat, the cat bit the officer on the hand, resulting in the officer releasing the cat.  The cat landed on the topside of the jersey barricade; the cat then scurried on to the ledge of the roadway.   As the reporting party and an officer attempted to retrieve the cat from the ledge, the cat jumped into the water.  The cat was observed swimming away.  

Officers utilized drones and a boat to search for the cat for over two hours, without success. 

The officer is currently at a local hospital and received a total of seven shots for rabies prevention, as the cat appeared to be diseased and feral. 

While we understand the compassion of citizens wanting to rescue an animal, we highly discourage our citizens from stopping on a highway or causeway. This places not only our citizens but our officers in a highly dangerous environment. 

An anti-prostitution sting conducted by the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division Friday resulted in the arrest of 1 man on charges of prostitution, a State Jail Felony punishable by up to 2 years in jail and fines up to $10,000. The man was arrested after they solicited an undercover CCPD Officer, posing as a prostitute, for sex acts in exchange for money. The operation targeted several websites and applications that are utilized by prostitutes.

NVID Detectives were assisted in the operation by Uniform Division Officers, as well as civilians with the Red Cord Program. The Red Cord Program is a prostitution diversion program aimed to provide practical and emotional support for those involved in prostitution. The program is successful due to the collaboration between Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation, social service organizations, Nueces County District Attorney Office, and Corpus Christi Police Department. The program affords those involved with sex work an opportunity to address the myriad of behavioral, social, and psychological problems they have faced throughout their lifetime. Since 2013, Red Cord has provided case management, health services, job training, substance abuse treatment, clothing, housing, counseling, and other social services needed to address the circumstances related to their involvement in prostitution. Participants who successfully complete the program have their cases dismissed by the District Attorney’s Office.

The man arrested during Friday’s operation will be required to attend a mandatory prostitution diversion education program at their expense. This program educates men about the negative consequences of prostitution, circumstances that may lead someone to purchase sex, and the impact they have on the individual they attempt to solicit sex from in exchange for money. The fees raised from this program are then used to provide some of the resources mentioned above, to assist women seeking to escape the bondage of prostitution.

Although often inaccurately referred to as a “victimless” crime, prostitution is inextricably linked to multiple other crimes including assault, human trafficking, sexual abuse, drug abuse, and the spread of sexually transmitted infectious disease. Neighborhoods where prostitution is prevalent experience a drastic degradation of the quality of life that citizens expect and deserve. The Corpus Christi Police Department will continue to collaborate with all government and private entities to combat prostitution and help accomplish our mission of working with the community to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and enhance public safety.

On Saturday February 11, 2012, at 11:39 pm Corpus Christi Police officers responded to a major crash hit and run at the 7500 block of McArdle. The officers located 24-year-old Kimberly Encinia on the side of the roadway suffering from severe injuries. Kimberly was transported to a local hospital where she ultimately succumbed to her injuries.

Detectives with the Traffic Section Follow-Up responded to the scene and took over the investigation from the first responding patrol officers. Over the months that followed, the detectives were unable to determine the identity of the suspect and the case went cold.

On July 12, 2022, the Traffic Section received information on a possible suspect in the 2012 fatal hit and run crash. The detectives were able to conduct additional interviews and presented this information to the Nueces County District Attorney’s Office to secure an arrest warrant. 45-year-old Michael Atkinson was served the warrant for Accident-Causing Death or Bodily Injury ($250,000.00 bond) while he was incarcerated at the Nueces County Jail on unrelated charges.

On Monday July 25, 2022, the Corpus Christi Police Department will be conducting a closed event for local school administrators & law enforcement professionals on school threat assessment and active shooters.

The attendees will review case studies of past active shooter incidents, how to react to an active shooter, investigating social media threats and reporting threats, and bullying and mental well-being for students. The class will be taught by Corpus Christi Police Department, CCISD Police, and a CCISD Youth mental health specialist.

An Illegal Gambling Operation was conducted by the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division on Tuesday July 13, 2022, that resulted in the arrest of two individuals. 44-year-old David Rivers and 39-year-old Ray Firova were charged with Keeping a Gambling Place (47.04), Possession of Gambling Device (47.06), and Gambling Promotion (47.03) which all are Class A misdemeanors; each punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $4,000.

NVID Detectives were assisted in the operation by Uniform Division Officers, the State of Texas Comptroller’s Office, and other federal agencies. State Law dictates that an individual cannot win a wholesale value available from a single play of the game or device of not more than 10 times the amount charged to play the game or device once or $5, whichever is less.

Game rooms who afford a player an opportunity to obtain, and players who accept anything of value, could be charged.

The Corpus Christi Police Department continues to collaborate with our local state and federal partners to investigate and combat illegal gambling. Investigators will continue to enforce all Texas gambling laws, which will help accomplish our mission to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and to improve the quality of life in our community.

The 19th annual Boots & Badges Blood Drive Challenge hosted by the Coastal Bend Blood Center will run from July 17th until July 30th.

The challenge is a friendly competition between area law enforcement and firefighting entities to see whether the “boots” or “badges” can bring in the most blood donations during the two-week long challenge. This lifesaving competition helps to boost the blood supply during the summer and aid in the Blood Center’s efforts to reduce summer blood shortages.

The Corpus Christi Police Department would like our community to assist the Coastal Bend Blood Center in gathering as many donations as possible. To view locations that are close to you and fit your schedule visit the Coastal Bend Blood Centers web page calendar here: https://www.coastalbendbloodcenter.org/events/

When you donate blood, let them know that you are doing so on behalf of “Team Badges”!

Go Badges!!

As is our practice we are releasing the information for the officer who was involved in the shooting on Monday, July 4, 2022.

One Corpus Christi Police Officer discharged her weapon during that critical incident and has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is in accordance with our current department practice and policy.

Senior Officer Jamie Wingo has been a police officer with the Corpus Christi Police Department for 7 years.   

This is still an active and ongoing investigation. If you have any information pertaining to this incident, you are encouraged to call the Corpus Christi Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 361-886-2840. Anyone who would like to keep their identity secret and still provide information to Detectives should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the tip online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=. 

For additional information on this incident: 
OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING – ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | CCPD Blotter

OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING | CCPD Blotter

As a follow-up to yesterday’s officer involved shooting, the following information has been made available for release. 

All three offenders have been processed by our City Detention Center; thus, we are able to release the identities and charges of the offenders involved.   

17-year-old Jesus Ramos, the driver of the vehicle, was the individual shot.  Ramos was medically cleared and was transported to the City Detention Center on July 5, 2022.  Ramos has been charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Unlawful Possession of Firearm, Manufacture and Delivery of Controlled Substance (PG1), Evading Arrest with a Vehicle and Evading Arrest.  

17-year-old Nathaniel Martinez was transported to the City Detention Center on July 4, 2022.  Martinez has been charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Unlawful Possession of Firearm, Evading Arrest with a Vehicle and Evading Arrest. 

17-year-old Dominic Favela was transported to the City Detention Center on July 4, 2022.  Favela has been charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Unlawful Possession of Firearm, Evading Arrest with a Vehicle and Evading Arrest.

Ramos, Martinez and Favela are expected to face additional charges in relation to the Aggravated Robbery (carjacking). 

This is still an active investigation and updates will follow as they are made available for release.

For more information related to this incident:   OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING | CCPD Blotter

Date:  Monday, July 4, 2022 12:16 AM
Location: I-37 SB at Corn Products   
Case Number: 2207040007

At approximately 12:16 am on Monday, July 4, 2022, a CCPD officer was responding to a call when she observed a vehicle matching the description of a car that had been stolen in an aggravated carjacking, several hours earlier. The officer observed the vehicle to not be displaying a rear license plate.

When the officer attempted to effect a traffic stop, the driver attempted to evade in the vehicle.  

Shortly after fleeing, the driver lost control of the vehicle and wrecked in the area of I-37 southbound at Corn Products. 

As officers attempted to contact the suspects, all three occupants attempted to evade on foot.  Upon seeing the officer, the driver of the vehicle produced what was believed to be a weapon, which forced the officer to discharge her service weapon, striking the suspect. 

The offender was provided immediate medical attention and was transported to a local hospital, with non-life-threatening injuries. 

The two additional offenders were also taken into custody without further incident.   

The vehicle the offenders occupied has been confirmed to be the same vehicle that was stolen in the carjacking (Aggravated Robbery).

We can also confirm that 2 handguns were recovered. 

All 3 offenders were transported to a local hospital as a precaution and later to the main station to be interviewed by investigators.   All three offenders have been identified as 17-year-old males. 

All three will all be transported to the City Detention Center for processing, at which point their names and respective charges will be released.

The Corpus Christi Police Officer will be placed on paid administrative leave, in accordance with current department practice and policy.

This is still an active and ongoing investigation. If you have any information pertaining to this incident, you are encouraged to call the Corpus Christi Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 361-886-2840. Anyone who would like to keep their identity secret and still provide information to Detectives should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the tip online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=.

At approximately 4:48 am on Sunday, June 26, 2022, officers were dispatched to the 5000 block of Gollihar Rd. reference a shooting.  When officers arrived, they located a 28-year-old male who had been shot.  Responding officers administered life savings measures on scene until medic units arrived, at which point the male was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.   

Through their investigation, Homicide Detectives followed up on several leads and were able to secure an arrest warrant for 29-year-old Samuel Garcia for Capital Murder ($750,000 Bond). 

US Marshals Gulf Coast Violent Offender Fugitive Task Force followed up on a Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers Tip, which led them to the whereabouts of Garcia. 

At approximately 7:00 pm on Thursday, June 30, 2022, Officers with the US Marshals Gulf Coast Violent Offender Fugitive Task Force, with assistance from Beeville Police Department, took Garcia into custody at a residence on the 1100 South St. Marys Street in Beeville, Texas.  

Garcia was transported to the Bee County Jail for processing.  He is awaiting extradition to Nueces County Jail. 

If you have any information about this murder, please call Corpus Christi Police Robbery & Homicide Detectives at (361) 886-2840. Anyone who would like to keep their identity secret and still provide information to Detectives should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the tip online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=.