Help Us Locate this Missing Elderly Person

UPDATE: Mr. Guzman was located safe and sound. Thank you to everyone for your assistance.

Police need your help locating 74 year old Joe Albert Guzman. Mr. Guzman was last seen at approximately 3:00pm walking in the area of Texan and Alameda after leaving his home in the area of 700 Crestview. Mr. Guzman is is 5 feet 8 inches tall and has a medium build. He has grey hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and black and white plaid shorts. Mr. Guzman suffers from dementia and other medical conditions.

If you have any information or see Mr. Guzman, please call Corpus Christi Police Department directly by calling 911 or (361) 886-2600.

NVID PROSTITUTION STING NETS eight ARRESTS

An anti-prostitution sting conducted by the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division Wednesday resulted in the arrest of eight men on charges of prostitution, a class B misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and fines up to $2,000.  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 north and west side neighborhoods frequented by prostitutes. 

NVID Detectives were assisted in the operation by Directed Patrol and Operations 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 the 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 Wednesday’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.

HELP US SOLVE THE MURDER OF KATHLEEN SUCKLEY

Today marks the 30th Anniversary of the murder of Kathleen Suckley. Investigators want your help to discover any new information which could help locate the individual responsible for her Murder.

On April 8, 1993, the body of 29-year-old Kathleen Suckley was found at her residence located on the 5000 block of Meandering Lane. Kathleen was found with several fatal stab wounds. Kathleen’s two young children were inside the home at the time of the Murder.

If you know who is responsible, or have any additional information about this murder, please call Detective Edward Alvarado (361) 886-2866. You may also call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or submit the information online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=. Crime Stoppers guarantees to keep your identity secret and if the information leads to an arrest, it could earn you up to $2,500 dollars in cash.

NVID DETECTIVES DISRUPT MAJOR GAMBLING OPERATIONS

Continuing their campaign to eradicate illegal gambling within the Corpus Christi city limits, investigators with the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division served simultaneous search warrants on Wednesday, April 05, 2023, at two illegal gambling establishments on the city’s south side.  Following a months-long investigation into the businesses that uncovered evidence of illegal gambling, detectives secured search warrants at two separate game rooms, one located on the 5100 block of Oakhurst Drive, and one located on the 3800 block of Saratoga Boulevard.  Detectives served a third search warrant on the 3800 block of Saratoga Boulevard, at a business that was being used for illegal cash payouts for game winners at the nearby game room.  During the search, detectives seized gambling equipment, over $370,000 cash, three vehicles, over 88 pounds of silver, and other evidence of illegal gambling.  41 adult patrons at the Oakhurst location were cited for Gambling, a Class C misdemeanor, while another 40 at the Saratoga location were similarly cited.

The following individuals at the Oakhurst location were arrested and charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, Gambling Promotion, Keeping a Gambling Place, and Possession of a Gambling Device:

46-year-old Corina Almaguer Oritz, 21-year-old Ojahni Haywood, 21-year-old Nicholas Ybarra, 21-year-old Sergio Gonzales, 24-year-old Alexus Hernandez and 23-year-old Angelica Ore.

At the Saratoga location, the following individuals were arrested and charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, Gambling Promotion, Keeping a Gambling Place, and Possession of a Gambling Device:

47-year-old Djilali Raghid, 42-year-old Tarrant Maples, 20-year-old Angelina Alvarado, 21-year-old Melanie Deleon, 21-year-old Taysha Davis, 34-year-old Olive Salinas and 32-year-old Bianca Lopez.   

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 three charges are class A misdemeanors.

This investigation continues, and additional 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 may face criminal charges.

NVID Detectives were assisted in the operation by officers with the CCPD Operations Division, Organized Crime Unit and investigators with the State of Texas Comptroller’s Office, which regulates coin operated machines.

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.

No Stabbing at Middle School

It was brought to our attention that a local social media site posted that on Tuesday April 4, 2023, there was a stabbing at Marvin Baker Middle School located at 1540 Casa Grande.

On Tuesday April 4, 2023 at 4:00 pm CCPD and CCISD officers did respond to a custody dispute at the school. This dispute was handled without incident and there was no stabbing.

We highly recommend that you follow the Corpus Christi Police Department social media and your local news outlets to get accurate information about incidents in Corpus Christi.

https://www.facebook.com/CorpusChristiPD/
https://twitter.com/CorpusChristiPD

THREATS MADE TO LOCAL SCHOOL

Overnight, the Corpus Christi Police Department was notified by a concerned citizen of a social media post that appeared to make threats of violence toward the students and staff at a local high school.  Investigators immediately launched an investigation to determine the validity of these threats as well as to identify the suspect or suspects involved.

Officers met with administrators at the school, along with the Corpus Christi Independent School Districts’ Police Department; to coordinate a law enforcement response and to provide a uniformed presence at the campus.

CCPD Officers have gathered information that leads them to believe that the social media posts originated several years ago from outside the state.  Investigators will continue the investigation to determine the identity of the poster, as well as to determine whether he or she has any local ties to the community.

The safety and security of our citizens is our highest priority, and we take all threats made toward our campuses, students, and staff seriously. 

If you have any information about threats made to any school, you are urged to contact investigators 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.

PRACTICE PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT TEST

You are invited to attend the Corpus Christi Police Department Practice Physical Assessment Test (PAT) on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, for the upcoming CCPD 83rd Police Academy which is projected to begin in September of this year.

The practice test will take place at the Main Police Station located at 321 John Sartain, Corpus Christi, TX 78401. Applicants will meet us at the gated entrance directly across from Whataburger on the Bay (Water Street side of the building).

Check in time will be between 5:00 pm – 5:30 pm, so we can begin promptly at 5:30 pm. During the practice test, instructors will explain and demonstrate each phase of the physical fitness test.

Officers will also be available to answer any questions you have about any phase of the testing and hiring process. Applicants who successfully complete the course will receive a PAT waiver that will be valid for up to 30 days. That means you will only need to pass the written examination on your scheduled test date.

Please report to the test site in physical fitness attire and have your state-issued identification card or driver’s license with you.

For more information or to rsvp for the Practice PAT call 361-886-2626.

JUGGING TIPS

Jugging: it can happen to anyone, at any time. Are you following these safety tips and remaining vigilant when making your bank runs?

#IfYouLikeItLockIt #Jugging #SafetyTips

ANNAVILLE GAME ROOM SHUT DOWN

DATE: March 29, 2023
TIME: 1:52 PM
CASE#: 2303290077
Offense: Engage in Organized Crime, Gambling Promotion, Keeping a Gambling Place, and Possession Gambling Device

On March 29, 2023 at 1:52 PM, Investigators with the Narcotics Vice Investigation Division (NVID) along with assistance from the Directed Patrol Officers, executed a search warrant on the 2800 Countiss Dr after a comprehensive investigation. During the search warrant 16 class C misdemeanor citations were issued to individuals gambling inside the location and then released.

The three staff members, 31 year old Jeffrey Arredondo , 46 year old Melinda Cruz, and 51 year old Jessie Yanez were interviewed and arrested for engaging in organized crime, gambling promotion, keeping a gambling place, and possession of gambling devices.

The 53 gambling machines found at this location had their internal hard drives removed and tagged as evidence for prosecution. There was also $14,861 in cash confiscated for possible seizure.

SHOTS HEARD IN AREA OF YORKTOWN AND CIMARRON

Officers responded to a call in the area of Yorktown and Cimarron for shots heard.  Officers are actively checking the area; they have not located an active scene. 

Out of an abundance of caution, all schools in the immediate area were placed on lockdown.  The lockdown for the schools will be lifted shortly.