All posts by Senior Officer Gena Pena

MISSING PERSON

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

Patrick Harris was reported missing on January 20, 2023. Patrick was last seen in the area of Airline and Williams on or about December 23, 2022. 

Patrick is described as a 39-year-old male who stands 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighs approximately 185 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. 

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

CITY URGES RESIDENTS TO USE CAUTION WITH POTENTIAL CITY EMPLOYEE IMPOSTERS

The City of Corpus Christi urges citizens to use caution when any person or business requests access to their home. The City has received several reports this week regarding people posing as Corpus Christi Water (CCW) employees or contractors requesting access inside citizens’ homes.

CCW employees take water samples daily at 98 different sites around the city as part of water quality testing. All procedures are performed outside and never inside a resident’s home.

The City of Corpus Christi reminds customers to always ask for identifying information from City utility workers. City employees will always provide City issued identification, including an employee photograph with their name, city logo, department, and barcode.

City vehicles will include a city logo and department information.  Employees wear uniforms with the City logo and employee name visible.

CCW employees work various hours, both day and night. If you are unsure of work being done in your area, contact the 311 Call Center.

If you cannot positively identify the CCW employee, the City urges residents to call the Police Department’s non-emergency number at (361) 886-2600.

NARCOTICS INVESTIGATORS SERVE SEARCH WARRANT ON WOOLDRIDGE RD

Officers with the CCPD Narcotics & Vice Investigations Division (NVID) believe they have disrupted a major drug distribution operation, after serving a search warrant on Friday, January 20, 2023, at a residence located on the 7500 blk of Wooldridge.  The search warrant was the culmination of a months-long undercover investigation.

During the search of the residence investigators seized 13.8 pounds of hydroponic marijuana, 5.5 pounds of THC oil, 2.2 pounds of THC butter and four firearms.  Three vehicles and over $67,000 in cash were also seized from the residence, which are believed to be proceeds from drug dealing.  The drugs had a combined street value of approximately $233, 894, according to investigators.

20-year-old Quy Nguyen was arrested during the search warrant.  Nguyen will face felony charges of Manufacturing and Delivery of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Marijuana.

The large amount of seized drugs, cash and weapons suggests this residence was a large-scale supplier of narcotics within Corpus Christi.

WANTED SUBJECT

Officers are asking for your help to locate Adryano Gonzalez who has an outstanding warrant for Probation Violation – Assault (No Bond).

Gonzalez is described as a 21-year-old male, who stands 5’06” feet, weighs approximately 126 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

If you know how to locate Gonzalez, 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.

US MARSHALS AND FBI RECOVER MISSING CHILD


The following is a release from the US Marshals Service.

On January 17, 2023, the United StatesMarshals Service, Gulf Coast Violent Offender Task Force (GCVOFTF), Corpus Christi Office, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation concluded with the safe recovery of Critically Missing Child Edwin BUSKIRK II. 

On December 29th the USMS received a request from the Corpus Christi Police Department for interference with child custody.Information developed that Critically Missing Child Edwin BUSKIRK II was taken outside of the United States. As a result, the GCVOFTF along with the FBI Corpus Christi International Parental Kidnapping Unit and the FBI Mexico Assistance Legal Attaché (ALAT) began a joint investigation on this case.

On January 17, 2023, at 7:00 pm thanks to the instrumental contribution of the USMS GCVOFTF, FBI Mexico ALAT, Rebecca BUSKIRK was apprehended, and the child safely recovered at the southern border of Mexico, state of Chiapas. Both the child, and the kidnapping suspect will be medically assessed, and child will be reunited with family members. Fugitive BUSKIRK will be extradited for prosecution.

USMS appreciate the massive collaboration of the community out of concerns for the health of the child.

The United States Marshals Service GCVOFTF located in Corpus Christi, Texas, is integrated by remarkable Agents from Department of Public Safety, Nueces County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Corpus Christi Police Department, and other Partner Federal Agencies that work together to safeguard our communities.

OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING – ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

As is our practice, we are releasing the information for the officer who was involved in the shooting on December 3, 2022.

A Corpus Christi Police Department Officer was severely injured after being shot during this critical incident; he remains on medical leave as he continues to recover from his injuries. The same Officer discharged his weapon during that critical incident.

Officer Gustavo Medina has been a police officer with the Corpus Christi Police Department for 3.5 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 | CCPD Blotter (wordpress.com)

MURDER SUSPECT ARRESTED

At approximately 8:38 am on Thursday, December 8, 2022, officers were dispatched to the 5800 block of S. Alameda reference a welfare check.

Upon arrival, officers located a 60-year-old adult male deceased on scene.  As with all unattended deaths, Investigators with our Robbery/Homicide Unit began an investigation. It was determined that the 60-year-old male was a victim of foul play.  

Through their investigation, Homicide Detectives followed up on several leads and were able to identify a suspect.  On Tuesday, January 3, 2023, Detectives were able to secure an arrest warrant for 42-year-old Phillip Cheatham for Murder ($750,000 Bond).

At approximately 6:15 pm on Friday, January 6, 2023, Officers with the US Marshals Gulf Coast Violent Offender Fugitive Task Force, along with Officers assigned to our Gang Unit, K-9 Unit, Traffic Unit and Patrol Officers located and took Cheatham into custody on the 4500 block of E Causeway, near HWY 181 access road, without incident. 

Cheatham was transported to the main station to be interviewed and was later transported to the City Detention Center for processing.

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=.

ADDRESSING RESPONSE TIME IN FATAL SHOOTING

Recently news media reported about an incident involving a juvenile female who was tragically killed. An inaccurate timeline is being provided, and we would like to clarify some of the facts about our response time.

CCPD’s hesitation to speak out on this was directly out of respect for the family; we do not want to bring further harm to the family, who is undoubtedly grieving.

We do not want a narrative that is not countered, that will ultimately relate to our public losing confidence in our 911 system. In an effort to provide clarity, we are providing the below timeline as related to this tragic incident that occurred on January 1, 2023.

· At 11:59:56 p.m., our 911 system received a call from the victim’s mother. A 911 Operator answered the call, noting there was silence, and the caller disconnected the phone.

· At 12:00:27 a.m., a 911 dispatcher called back on what was considered an incomplete 911 call, noting that the call went directly to voicemail.

· At 12:01:35 a.m., our 911 system received a call from a third party who advised that a juvenile had been shot. The caller immediately advised the caller-taker that Officers were on scene and disconnected the call.

We want to clarify that our officers were on the scene within less than 2 minutes of the shooting. Unfortunately, the parents had left the scene before officers could make contact. We want to reiterate that this is no fault of the family, they were making every effort to receive life-saving measures for their loved one.

Upon the arrival of officers on scene, they were notified by neighbors that the family had self-transported the victim to a local hospital but did not have specifics on their destination. Additional Patrol Officers went to each of our local hospitals to locate the victim. A series of unfortunate events delayed the family’s arrival at the hospital. Still, upon their arrival, they were met by officers who removed the victim from the vehicle and carried her into the hospital for medical care.

We have heard the concerns about calls being made to 911 going unanswered. We want to clarify that the emergency calls are being answered. 911 does not disconnect calls; the phone will continue to ring until a connection is made. If the caller abandons the call, a 911 call-taker will return the phone call.

The City of Corpus Christi is committed to maintaining the high level of service that the community expects and deserves.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family.

TWO ARRESTS MADE FOR DEADLY CONDUCT

At approximately 12:01 am on Sunday, January 1, 2023, Officers were dispatched to the 6600 block of Everhart reference a shooting victim.  Upon arrival, Officers were updated that the victim was self-transported to a local hospital by family members.

Officers arrived at a local hospital as the victim was arriving.  Officers were later advised that the juvenile victim succumbed to her injuries. 

Investigators with our Criminal Investigation Division have worked diligently since the shooting to identify and locate the individuals responsible.  On this same date, Investigators were able to identify two offenders who illegally discharged their firearms in the direction of several habitations. 

On January 2, 2023, Detectives petitioned for, and secured arrests warrants for 29-year-old Deonis Poindexter and 43-year-old Jacob Leal. The warrants were for Deadly Conduct Discharging a Firearm (3rd degree felony-$75,000 bond). Charges may be upgraded at a later time, pending further investigation.

Both offenders were transported to the main police station to be interviewed, before being booked at the City Detention Center.  

If you have any information about this investigation, please call 361-886-2600.  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=.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

At approximately 12:01 am on Sunday, January 1, 2023, Officers were dispatched to the 6600 block of Everhart reference a shooting victim.  Upon arrival, Officers were updated that the victim was self-transported to a local hospital by family members.

Officers arrived at a local hospital as the victim was arriving.  Officers were later advised that the juvenile female succumbed to her injuries. 

Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division are actively investigating this incident.  If anyone has any information pertaining to this incident, you are urged to call 361-886-2600.  You may also 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.