Date: Monday, September 20, 2021 4:44 PM
Location: 4100 block of Ayers
Incident: Murder
Case Number: 2109200113

Corpus Christi Police Department is asking for your help to locate 29-year-old Terry Stafford who has an outstanding warrant which was issued on Thursday, September 23, 2021 for murder ($1,000,000 Bond).

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Stafford is described as a 29-year-old black male who stands 6′05″, weighs approximately 250 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

This murder warrant relates to an incident which occurred on Monday, September 20, 2021 at approximately 4:44 pm, when officers were dispatched to the 4100 block of Ayers for a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located a 44-year-old male with a gunshot wound. The male was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Investigators are also asking for your help to locate 22-year-old Mercedes Martinez who has an outstanding warrant for failure to report felony ($10,000 Bond) and an additional warrant for hindering apprehension ($25,000 Bond). Martinez also has an active warrant for Failure to Appear for an Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon (No Bond).

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Martinez is described as a 22-year-old female who stands 5’00”, weighs approximately 115 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

The pair may be in an older model white in color Chevrolet Suburban.

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The persons of interest that we requested assistance for earlier this week have been identified. The vehicle that was used during the commission of this homicide has also been located and impounded.

If you have any information about this murder, or if you know the whereabouts of these persons of interest or the offender, 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=.

An anti-prostitution sting conducted by the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division Tuesday resulted in the arrest of six men on charges of prostitution, a State Jail Felony punishable by up to 2 years in jail and fines up to $10,000. The men were arrested after they solicited an undercover CCPD Officer, posing as a prostitute, for sex acts in exchange for money. The operation targeted several neighborhoods frequented 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 men arrested during Tuesday’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.

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The Corpus Christi Police Department is asking for your help to locate 35-year-old Matthew Adam Martinez who has an outstanding warrant for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon Family Violence with Serious Bodily Injury ($250,000 Bond).

Matthew is described as a 35 year old male who stands 5′ 08″, weighs approximately 175 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

If you know how to locate Matthew Martinez, call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the information online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=, it can earn you a cash reward.

Update: 09/23/21 – The vehicle used during the commission of the homicide has been located and impounded.

Date: Monday, September 20, 2021 4:44 PM 
Location:  4100 block of Ayers 
Incident: Murder 
Case Number: 2109200113

Investigators are attempting to identify persons of interest in the City’s latest homicide.

At 4:44 pm on Monday, September 20, 2021, Officers were dispatched to the  4100 block of Ayers for a shooting.  Upon arrival, officers located a 44-year-old male with a gunshot wound.  The male was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. 

The females in the attached photo are being called persons of interest, Investigators need to identify and locate them.  Investigators also need to identify a third person that was in the suspect vehicle.  The suspect vehicle, shown in the attached photo, is described as an older model, black in color Chevrolet Suburban, with paper tags.  

If you have any information about this murder, or if you know the whereabouts of these persons of interest or the offender, 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=.

Date: Thursday, September 16, 2021 2:04 am
Offense: Homicide
Location: 2500 block of Viola
Case Number; 2109160011

At approximately 2:04 am on Thursday, September 16, 2021 officers were dispatched to the 2500 block of Viola to a nature unknown. 

Upon arrival, officers located a 54-year-old female deceased outside of the residence.  During the investigation, it was determined that the female has signs of assaultive trauma.

Investigators began working the case and were able to identify a suspect.  Investigators were able to track down a location for the suspect in South Central Texas and worked with a partnering agency to effect an arrest.  The male will be extradited to Nueces County at a later time, at which point his identity will be released.   

We can confirm that this was not a random act of violence and there are no outstanding suspects.  

Updates will be provided as they are made available for release.

If you have any information about this crime, you can contact detectives at 361-886-2840.  If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at (361)888-TIPS (8477) or submit the information online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=.  The information you provide to Crime Stoppers is anonymous and if the information leads to an arrest, it could earn you a cash reward.

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Date: September 14, 2021 4:58 A.M.
Location:  200 block of Oleander Dr
Offense: Disorderly Conduct
Case Number: 2109140017

At approximately 4:58 A.M. on September 14, 2021, Officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Oleander reference shots heard.  Upon arrival, officer made contact with the resident who advised that he initially heard several gunshots being discharged from a distance and then proceeded to hear the gunshots being discharged closer to his home.  The reporting party advised that at one point he believed the gunshots were hitting his home, at which point he contacted police.  Officers found that several bullets struck the home and noted that two of those bullets penetrated the residence.  There were no injuries reported by the residents.

The victims were able to provide investigators with surveillance footage.

The suspect vehicle appears to be a black in color 4-door passenger car.  The Corpus Christi Police Department is asking for our community’s help in identifying the suspect vehicle and or the occupants. 

If you have any information about this crime or know the identity of this suspect, you can contact detectives at 361-886-2840. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at (361)888-TIPS (8477) or submit the information online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=.  The information you provide to Crime Stoppers is anonymous and if the information leads to an arrest, it could earn you a cash reward.

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Detectives want your help to catch this Burglary suspect with this Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers Crime of the Week.

An unknown male committed a Burglary of a business in the 5400 block of SPID.  The suspect was observed on camera hiding in a place of business until after closing time and then proceeded to burglarize a separate business, stealing a large quantity of items from the location. 

The male is described as a Black or Hispanic adult male, approximately 20-30 years of age, mustache and possibly goatee and cornrow hairstyle.  The suspect has numerous tattoos on both arms and forearms. 

The male was seen leaving the location in a red in color passenger car, being driven by a second unknown suspect.

Detectives obtained a copy of surveillance images of the suspect. Only the primary suspect is pictured in the images.

If you have any information about this crime or know the identity of this suspect, you can contact detectives at 361-886-2840. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at (361)888-TIPS (8477) or submit the information online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=. The information you provide to Crime Stoppers is anonymous and if the information leads to an arrest, it could earn you a cash reward.

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Update September 16, 2021 at 3:30 PM: Jose Garza has been located and reunited with his family. Thank you for your assistance.

Corpus Christi Police Investigators would like help from the public to locate a missing person.

Jose Garza was reported missing by family members who live out of town on September 08, 2021. Jose was last seen leaving a local treatment facility on August 27, 2021. Due to no family in the area, it is unsure when Garza was last seen but he is believed to still be in the Corpus Christi area.

Jose is described as a 41-year-old male who stands 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighs approximately 180 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

If you have any information that may assist Investigators or know the whereabouts of Jose Garza, please call Corpus Christi Police Department directly by calling (361) 886-2840 or by calling (361) 886-2600.

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Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard. Often times, people underestimate the force and power of water. Many of the deaths occur from cars being swept away. Many of these drownings are preventable.

Never dismiss or drive around the barriers blocking a road of travel. These barriers are in place for your safety. Your vehicle can easily be swept away and you may not be prepared for the condition of the road underneath.

A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars and just 2 feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks. It is NEVER safe to drive or walk into flood waters.

Stay safe.

Every anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, we pay tribute to the first responders that gave their own lives attempting to save others on that day.

Due to the pandemic, we are not able to hold a commemorative event on the 20th anniversary of the attack.

The Corpus Christi Police Department, Corpus Christi Fire Department and the Port of Corpus Christi Police Department have come together to create a video, as our way of paying tribute to those brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.