Public Safety
Public Safety news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
Public SafetyCity can't heal until child killer is executed, Cameron County district attorney says
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz was not elected until after John Allen Rubio's convictions, but he has been defending the court's decision and fighting for the children during the appeals process. Rubio is scheduled to be executed on Nov. 12, 2026. However, a newly filed 44-page motion asks the court to
Public SafetyJohn Allen Rubio's attorney argues that he is not competent for death sentence
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — New developments have emerged in the case of John Allen Rubio, as his attorneys file a motion seeking to delay his scheduled execution later this year. According to court documents filed late Thursday night, Rubio’s legal team argues he is not competent to be executed due to ongoing mental illness. The motion
Public SafetyMcAllen man who posed as modeling scout found guilty of sexual assault
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A McAllen man was sentenced to 10 years behind bars following a sexual assault investigation, according to the Hidalgo County District Attorney's Office. Isaiah Rowley, 26, of McAllen, was found guilty on three counts of sexual assault on Wednesday. On Aug. 9, 2023, the McAllen Police Department responded to a report of
Public Safety'Grateful I was able to help': La Joya ISD officer saves infant from choking on quarter
LA JOYA, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A La Joya Independent School District police officer took quick action to save an infant from choking on a quarter. According to La Joya ISD, Officer Melgareo was stationed at the south side of the student pickup area at La Joya High School when a distressed parent approached her, saying
Public SafetyBrownsville Rivera 11th grader claimed he saw student with gun, prompting lockdown: Docs
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A criminal complaint obtained by ValleyCentral identifies the student accused of making a false report that led to a lockdown at Brownsville Rivera Early College High School in April. Seventeen-year-old Marte Martinez Alvarez, an 11th-grade student, was charged with false alarm or report, a state-jail felony, and was issued a $15,000
Public SafetyMan was punched in the face before McAllen bar shooting: Records
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A criminal complaint obtained by ValleyCentral details what led to a shooting outside of a bar in McAllen. Salvador Picena Rangel, 26, of Alton, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, a second-degree felony, on Saturday, according to a spokesperson for the McAllen Police Department. According to the complaint, McAllen police received
Public SafetyMission man sold 'purple liquid' to 12-year-old student after being contacted on Instagram: docs
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — New details have been released in the case against an 18-year-old Mission man who was arrested after a 12-year-old boy was hospitalized after using a vape on a school bus. Francisco "Frank" Ariel Cuevas Rivas, 18, of Mission, has been charged with two counts of manufacture or delivery of a substance
Public SafetySocial Media Predator Found Guilty of Sexual Assault
Texas Border Business EDINBURG, Texas – On April 29, 2026, a Hidalgo County jury found Isaiah Rowley, 26, of McAllen, Texas, guilty on three counts of sexual assault. The case originated on August 9, 2023, when officers with the McAllen Police Department responded to a report of sexual assault. After obtaining the victim’s statement, investigators identified
Public SafetyEdinburg Police Respond to Active Situation at Smoke Shop
The Edinburg Police Department reported in a statement that they are responding to an active situation involving a robbery at a smoke shop located in the 2300 block of N. Sugar Road. The public is advised to seek alternate routes. Police Chief Jaime Ayala is expected to make a statement shortly.
Public SafetyRaymondville police search for missing 85-year-old woman diagnosed with dementia
Las autoridades de Raymondville están llevando a cabo una búsqueda activa para localizar a una mujer de 85 años que ha sido reportada como desaparecida. La mujer, quien ha sido diagnosticada con demencia, fue vista por última vez en su residencia el lunes por la tarde. La policía solicita la ayuda de la comunidad para proporcionar cualquier información que pueda ayudar a encontrarla.
Public SafetyLaredo CBP Seizes $250K in Unreported Cash at the Border
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Laredo Port of Entry seized more than $272,000 in bulk, unreported U.S. currency during an outbound vehicle inspection.
Public SafetyUpdate: Missing Woman Found Deceased in Raymondville
The Raymondville Police Department has confirmed the death of Mary Ambriz, 85, who was reported missing on April 30. She was found deceased on the afternoon of May 1. Authorities stated that her body was discovered in the Raymondville area and preliminary investigations revealed no signs of foul play. Mary Ambriz was last seen on April 29, and her family, along with authorities, had sought the community's help in locating her, as she suffered from dementia and was likely disoriented. No further details about the circumstances of her death have been released.
Public SafetyLone Star National Bank Seeks Public’s Help Identifying Five Suspects in Fraud Investigation
Texas Border Business Texas Border Business San Antonio / Rio Grande Valley, TX — Lone Star National Bank is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying five individuals believed to be connected to suspected fraudulent activity across South Texas. According to bank officials, surveillance images captured in both the San Antonio and Rio Grande Valley
Public Safety'Loud boom': 5 dead following plane crash in Hays County
Five people reportedly died following a plane crash in the Wimberley area of Hays County.
Public SafetyVehicle stolen from job site recovered in traffic stop: Willlacy County sheriff
WILLACY COUNTY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A 23-year-old man was arrested and charged on Thursday after authorities say he stole a vehicle from a job site in Willacy County. Arthuro Salinas was charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and two counts of burglary of a vehicle. The Willacy County Sheriff's Office responded to the job
Public Safety13-year-old boy in custody after social media threat at IDEA Elsa: Police
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A 13-year-old boy is in custody after a social media threat was made toward IDEA Elsa, the Elsa Police Department announced on Friday. On Thursday night, investigators were made aware of the threat and immediately began investigating, identifying a 13-year-old boy in connection with the post. The boy was taken into
Public SafetyMcAllen Man Sentenced to Prison for Using Social Media to Commit Sexual Assault
A Hidalgo County jury found Isaiah Rowley, a 26-year-old McAllen resident, guilty on three counts of sexual assault, authorities reported. The case dates back to August 9, 2023, when officers responded to a report of an assault. During the investigation, it was determined that Rowley had posed as a talent scout for a fictitious company called '101 Modeling.' During the trial, the jury reviewed photographic and video evidence obtained during the investigation. Prosecutors also presented evidence showing Rowley used social media to offer fake modeling opportunities to gain the victim's trust and isolate her before committing the crimes. Following the verdict, Rowley was sentenced to 10 years in prison for each count, to be served concurrently.
Public Safety85-year-old woman reported missing out of Raymondville
RAYMONDVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Willacy County Sheriff's Office and the Raymondville Police Department are searching for a woman with dementia who was last seen on Wednesday night. Mary Ambriz, 85, was last seen in Raymondville, according to a missing person's report that was issued on Thursday night. Ambriz is 4 feet, 11 inches tall and
Public SafetySuspect with Arrest Warrant Captured in Monte Alto
Rolando Sepeda, who had an active arrest warrant as a suspect in several burglaries in the area, was apprehended, according to Precinct 5 county police. Authorities reported that the individual was detained last Wednesday night without incident after receiving a tip from a citizen about the presence of a suspicious person. Officials emphasized the critical role of community involvement, noting that swift action helped remove a person of interest from the streets.