Detectives from the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division continued to put pressure on illicit gambling operations this week, serving three search warrants related to two separate illegal gambling establishments within the city limits. On Wednesday afternoon, NVID Detectives raided an unnamed game room on the 5200 block of Everhart Road. During the search, Detectives found and seized sixty items of illegal gambling equipment. Employee Yolanda Garcia, age 54, was arrested and charged with violation of the Nueces County Game Room Ordinance, Keeping a Gambling Place, Gambling Promotion, and Possession of a Gambling Device.

On Thursday afternoon NVID Detectives served a search warrant at a residence on the 3400 block of Pineda Street. There, Detectives found and seized several documents and electronic devices suspected to contain records from an illegal gambling operation. Detectives also seized over $3100 in US currency and arrested Yi Han, age 32, for violation of the Nueces County Game Room Ordinance, Keeping a Gambling Place, Gambling Promotion, and Possession of a Gambling Device. A subsequent search warrant at the Lucky Treasures Game Room in the 11100 block of Leopard Street resulted in the seizure of 54 items of illegal gambling equipment. Neither of the two game rooms were open for business at the time the search warrants were served, so no patrons were cited for gambling.

The two operations were the result of intensive, multi-month-long investigations into the businesses that uncovered evidence of illegal gambling. The two businesses do not appear to be connected, but the investigation continues into each, and additional charges and arrests are possible.

The Corpus Christi Police Department reminds citizens that game rooms which pay out cash rewards, or rewards that can be immediately redeemed for cash are engaging in illegal gambling. Patrons as well as the management of these establishments face criminal charges.

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.

Since January 2025, the Corpus Christi Auto Theft Task Force has reported 64 stolen firearms — a lot of them taken directly from unlocked vehicles.

These aren’t just property crimes. Each stolen firearm represents a potential threat to innocent lives, to law enforcement, and to the safety of our entire community.

We’re releasing this short video to raise awareness and ask for your help.

If you are a firearm owner:
Lock your vehicle every time
Do not leave firearms unattended in your car
Use secure storage whenever possible

Gun ownership comes with responsibility. Let’s work together to keep our streets safe and reduce the number of stolen firearms fueling violent crime.

Watch the PSA and share the message.

#CorpusChristiATTF#GunSafety#SecureYourFirearm#IfYouLikeItLockIt#CCPD#StolenGunsAreDeadly

On Sunday, May 11, 2025, at 12:33am, officers were dispatched to the 4800 block of Cheryl Drive in reference to a shooting.

Officers arrived and located a 37-year-old male deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.

Homicide Detectives arrived and conducted their investigation. They found that a verbal argument occurred between a group of males. One of the males produced a handgun and a fight ensued over the gun. During the fight, the victim was shot.

17-year-old Michael Gonzalez and 17-year-old John Salazar were ultimately arrested for murder and transported to the City Detention Center for booking.

This is an active and ongoing investigation. If you have any information regarding this shooting, you are encouraged to contact detectives at 361-886-2840. If you want to provide information and remain anonymous, submit a tip with Crime Stoppers at 361-888-TIPS.

On Sunday, May 11, 2025, at 12:33am, officers were dispatched to the 4800 block of Cheryl Drive in reference to a shooting.

Officers arrived and located an adult male in his 30’s deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.

Homicide Detectives are on scene beginning their investigation. Preliminary information is an argument occurred between two males and the victim was shot.

Officers have detained numerous subjects as part of their investigation.

This is an active and ongoing investigation. If you have any information regarding this shooting, you are encouraged to contact detectives at 361-886-2840. If you want to provide information and remain anonymous, submit a tip with Crime Stoppers at 361-888-TIPS.

Detectives with the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division were kept busy this week, serving separate search warrants on two illegal gambling establishments on the city’s south side. On Wednesday evening, NVID Detectives raided the Lucky Spot Game Room on the 4100 block of Weber Road. During the search, Detectives found and seized thirteen items of illegal gambling equipment and over $6500 in US currency. Employee Amanda Lozano, age 32, was arrested and charged with violation of the Nueces County Game Room Ordinance, Keeping a Gambling Place, Gambling Promotion, Possession of a Gambling Device and Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity.

On Thursday afternoon NVID Detectives served a search warrant at the Lucky Panda Game Room on the 5200 block of Ayers Street. Fifty-two adult patrons found inside the business were cited for Gambling (Class C misdemeanor) and released. During the search, Detectives found and seized 145 illegal gaming components and over $26,000 in US Currency. The following four employees were all arrested and charged with violation of the Nueces County Game Room Ordinance, Keeping a Gambling Place, Gambling Promotion, Possession of a Gambling Device and Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity: Adan Guerra Sr., 42, Samantha Davila, 29, John Casarez De la Rosa, 27, and Dana Villafranco, 29.

Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity is a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in jail and a maximum $10,000 fine, while the other four charges are class A misdemeanors.

The two operations were the result of an intensive, months-long investigation into the businesses that uncovered evidence of illegal gambling. The two businesses do not appear to be connected, but the investigation continues into each and additional charges and arrests are likely.

The Corpus Christi Police Department reminds citizens that game rooms which pay out cash rewards, or rewards that can be immediately redeemed for cash are engaging in illegal gambling. Patrons as well as the management of these establishments face criminal charges.

NVID Detectives were assisted in these operations by officers with the CCPD Operations Division, Directed Patrol Unit and Traffic Section.

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.

UPDATE: The detained individual was Identified as Adam Salazar.

Salazar was ultimately arrested and charged with Murder.  

ORIGINAL: On Monday, May 5, 2025, at 9:33pm, officers were dispatched to the 4900 block of Cain Drive in reference to a shooting with injuries.

Officers arrived and located a 45-year-old male victim suffering from a gunshot wound and immediately provided medical aid until medics arrived. Medics transported the male to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

A 41-year-old male has been detained as part of the investigation. Officers have advised this incident is involving family violence and there is no threat to the public.

This is an active and ongoing investigation.

The Corpus Christi Police Department Violent Crimes Unit Traffic Section continue arrests.

20-year-old Pedro Vaughn was arrested overnight for reckless driving, when he was observed doing burnouts and donuts in the 300 block of S. Shoreline.

33-year-old Clayton Randal was arrested for reckless driving when he was observed traveling over 100 mph on HWY 358 on his motorcycle.

31-year-old Joel Villa was arrested for reckless driving, when he was observed traveling over 85 mph in a 45-mph area in the 5200 block of SPID.  

This week the Violent Crimes Traffic enforcement continues.

23-year-old Matthew Mendoza was arrested for reckless driving and unlawful carrying of a weapon.

20-year-old Owen Martinez was arrested for reckless driving.

24-year-old Gowtham Kilaru was arrested for reckless driving.

These individuals were observed traveling more than 100 mph on Hwy 358, well over the posted speed limit. This behavior not only endangers their own lives, but also other innocent motorists on the roadway.

All vehicles involved were impounded.

The Corpus Christi Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division is investigating an allegation of an improper relationship between an educator and a student at a local high school.

Detectives were able to obtain statements and evidence and secure an arrest warrant for the offender.

On May 2, 2025, at 1:30 pm, Officers with the Corpus Christi Police Department arrested 49-year-old Amy Spence at a residence on the 1000 block of Nile Dr.

She was transported to the City Detention Center and charged with Improper relationship between educator and student.

This is still an active investigation.

Detectives with the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division dismantled yet another illicit gambling operation Thursday afternoon the city’s south side. Continuing their initiative to eliminate illegal gambling within the Corpus Christi city limits, NVID Detectives served a search warrant at the Pure Game Room, located on the 5800 block of South Staples Street, shortly after 2:00 pm yesterday. The search warrant was the conclusion of a months long investigation into the business that uncovered evidence of illegal gambling. During the search, Detectives found and seized 125 pieces of gambling equipment and over $12,000 in cash. Edward Gutierrez, age 29, Johnny Perales, age 56, Jamie Mott, age 21, were arrested and charged with gambling promotion, keeping a gambling place, possession of a gambling device, violation of the Nueces County Game Room Ordinance, and engaging in organized criminal activity. Melinda Delapaz, age 28, was charged with gambling promotion and engaging in organized criminal activity. Engaging in organized criminal activity is a state jail felony, punishable by up to two years in jail and a maximum $10,000 fine, while the other charges are class A misdemeanors. Thirteen adult patrons inside the game room were cited for gambling, a class C misdemeanor.

This investigation continues, and additional charges and arrests are likely. The Corpus Christi Police Department reminds citizens that game rooms which pay out cash rewards are engaging in illegal gambling. Patrons as well as the management of these establishments may face criminal charges.

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.