Public Safety
Public Safety news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
Public Safety'It came to me as a spear': McAllen man survives bed frame crashing through windshield
PHARR, Texas (ValleyCentral) — What was supposed to be a relaxing weekend trip to South Padre Island turned into a terrifying near-death experience for a McAllen police officer after a steel bed frame flew through his windshield while traveling on the expressway. John Montemayor said he was driving about 65 mph behind a van when,
Public SafetyMan accused of sending intimate photos through dead persons's social media accounts: Police
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man was taken into custody for allegedly sending intimate photos through a deceased person's social media accounts, according to the Donna Police Department. On June 15, Jose Lara Jr. was charged with harassment, two counts of online impersonation, computer security breach and unlawful disclosure of intimate visual material. According to a
Public SafetyCBP officers arrest man wanted in Combes shooting investigation
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested a man with multiple warrants out of Combes. German Tanguma was arrested on Thursday while attempting to enter the U.S. at the Hidalgo International Port of Entry. The Combes Police Department said Tanguma was wanted for his alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred
Public SafetyBrownsville Police Arrest Suspect in Multiple Downtown Robberies
Brownsville police arrested a man linked to multiple thefts in the downtown area early on July 17, 2026. Officers from the specialized Task Force against Theft apprehended 35-year-old Oscar Leonardo Urbina around 12:14 a.m. after a thorough investigation. Urbina faces seven felony charges for commercial burglary and one charge for residential burglary, which is classified as a second-degree felony. Authorities noted that his arrest is a significant step in addressing property crimes in Brownsville's commercial and historic district, where such incidents have been on the rise. He is now in custody awaiting legal proceedings and bail assignment.
Public SafetyDPS Investigates Fatal Crash in Starr County
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is investigating a fatal accident that occurred on Friday, July 17, 2026, in Starr County. The crash involved two pickup trucks on FM 755, south of FM 1017, around 1:40 p.m. A silver Dodge Ram towing a trailer was traveling north when a gray Dodge 1500, carrying a driver and a passenger, veered into oncoming traffic. The driver of the Ram swerved to avoid a head-on collision but could not prevent the gray truck from hitting the trailer. The passenger, 67-year-old Noelio Garza Peña from Houston, died at the scene. The driver of the gray truck was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, while the driver of the Ram was unharmed. DPS officials are continuing their investigation.
Public SafetyMultiple agencies respond to house fires in Starr County
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- First responders from Starr and Hidalgo Counties are working to put out a fire that broke out in a community near Rio Grande City. The Starr County Sheriff's Office reported that the fire broke out on San Eulogio Street. Rio Grande City Fire Chief Manuel S. Muniz told ValleyCentral that the
Public SafetyTexas AG Issues Warning Against Flood-Related Scams and Price Gouging
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has issued a warning to residents about potential scams and price gouging related to recent flooding in the state. He emphasized the importance of vigilance against fraudulent charities and illegal price increases during declared disasters. Paxton stated that it is unlawful for businesses or individuals to raise prices unreasonably during such times. He encourages anyone who suspects scams or price gouging to report them via his office's toll-free complaint line at (800) 621-0508. Additionally, he advised residents to verify charities before donating and to protect their personal information.
Public SafetyMajor vehicle crash closes road near La Gloria
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Starr County Sheriff's Office is on the scene of a major vehicle crash on North FM 755 by FM 1017 in La Gloria. According to a news release from the Texas Department of Transportation, FM 755 is currently closed between FM 2294 and FM 1017. Northbound traffic on FM 755 is
Public SafetyThe Death of Nahomi Rodríguez Remains a Mystery 10 Years After Disappearance
Nahomi Rodríguez, a 19-year-old from San Benito, mysteriously disappeared on this day in 2016 after leaving work. Months later, her remains were discovered in Río Hondo, Texas. Nine years later, Harlingen police are still investigating the case and urge the community to provide any information that could help solve it. On the day she vanished, security cameras captured her at a fast-food restaurant, where she was seen getting into a gray Ford Escape. Her last communication was a call to her mother, saying someone would take her home. Her identity was confirmed through dental records after her remains were found in April 2017.
Public SafetyLaredo Resident Ordered to Prison for 11 Years in Fentanyl Distribution Case
Jorge Humberto Medrano Jr., a 24-year-old resident of Laredo, has been sentenced to 135 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Medrano, who pleaded guilty in January, was linked to the Cártel del Noreste and was found to have trafficked fentanyl mixed with xylazine, a dangerous veterinary tranquilizer. This combination increases the risk of overdose and severe injuries. The court highlighted the ongoing fentanyl crisis and Medrano's role in smuggling nearly 2,000 illegal aliens. He remains in custody pending transfer to a federal facility, as part of a broader initiative to combat organized crime.
Public SafetyDeadly San Juan H-E-B parking lot shooting linked to drug deal gone wrong
Two suspects, Michael Anthony Lopez, 18, and Juan Samuel Olguin, 19, have been charged with murder following a shooting at an H-E-B parking lot in San Juan. The incident, linked to a drug deal, resulted in the death of 40-year-old Hervey Marin De Leon on July 10. Both suspects were arraigned and given a $1 million bond. Lopez faces additional charges of aggravated kidnapping and robbery in a separate case. Witnesses reported Lopez shot Hervey during the transaction. The investigation continues, with other suspects not ruled out and several individuals detained for questioning.
Public SafetyJudge set bail at $1M for men connected to H-E-B shooting death
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Two men accused of being involved in a deadly shooting at an H-E-B parking lot that occurred on Thursday in San Juan appeared before a judge Friday morning. After a bond hearing on Friday morning, a judge set bail at $1,000,000 cash surety for the two men, respectively. Michael Anthony Lopez,
Public SafetyCBP Officers Seize Over $294,000 in Cocaine at Brownsville-Matamoros Bridge
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Brownsville-Matamoros International Bridge seized cocaine valued at approximately $294,948 on July 7. The drugs were found in a 2016 Nissan driven by a 20-year-old female U.S. citizen from Brownsville, Texas, during a secondary inspection. Utilizing a canine unit and a nonintrusive inspection system, officers discovered nine packages containing about 22.09 pounds of cocaine hidden in the vehicle. The narcotics and the vehicle were confiscated, and Homeland Security Investigations has launched a criminal investigation into the incident.
Public SafetyMultiple Fires Reported in Starr County
The Starr County Sheriff's Office posted on social media that several fire departments are currently responding to multiple structural fires on San Eulogio Street in the El Chaparral subdivision. Authorities are asking the public to avoid the area at this time. This is a developing story, and we will provide more information as it becomes available.
Public SafetyICE Agent Involved in Maine Shooting Had History of Violence, Family and Records Say
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent who shot a Colombian man in Maine this week is a military veteran who has struggled with severe mental health issues since childhood and should never have been given a badge and a gun to patrol U.S. streets, according to several family members who spoke to The Associated Press. David Brouillette has a history of frightening and violent behavior, they claim. He has been accused of assaulting women in his life over the years; one shared a voice message from last winter in which he told her someone should cut her throat. Brouillette's troubling past raises further questions about the rigor with which the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has vetted new recruits during its recent mass hiring campaign aimed at implementing the hardline immigration measures pushed by President Donald Trump. At least 10 people have died in incidents involving immigration agents since Trump launched this offensive after taking office; among them is Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, a 25-year-old Colombian citizen who was shot by Brouillette on Monday while in his vehicle near his home in the coastal city of Biddeford, Maine. The DHS, which has not revealed the name of the agent who killed Durán Guerrero, stated that 'the vehicle attempted to flee the scene and, out of concern for public safety, an agent discharged his weapon.' Brouillette did not respond to text messages or emails requesting comment. Three family members who said they spoke with him after the shooting—including an ex-wife and a daughter—indicated he claimed to have acted in self-defense. When asked about Brouillette's background and his involvement in Monday's shooting, ICE spokesperson Lauren Bis stated, 'We will never confirm or deny attempts to disclose personal information about our law enforcement agents,' adding that 'the ICE agent in question has nearly a decade of experience in federal law enforcement and has received mandatory training, including training on the use of force.' The White House referred all questions regarding the shooting and Brouillette to ICE.
Public SafetySuspects in custody following deadly shooting at San Juan H-E-B parking lot, police say
Two suspects are in custody on murder charges after a shooting at an H-E-B Plus parking lot in San Juan on Thursday. Police Chief Leandro Sifuentes reported that the suspects, whose identities have not been disclosed, will face arraignment on Friday morning. The incident occurred around 11 a.m., and the injured victim was taken to the hospital in a private vehicle. Sifuentes assured the public that this is an isolated case and there is no ongoing threat. Authorities were seen at the South Texas Health System in McAllen, which is connected to the investigation.
Public SafetyUPDATE: Missing 12-year-old Harlingen girl found
The Harlingen Police Department has confirmed that 12-year-old Shelyn Kendra Flowers was found safe on Thursday, July 16, at 3:32 p.m. Shelyn had been reported missing since July 4, when she was last seen in Harlingen wearing Hello Kitty shorts and a black shirt. Described as having brown hair and eyes, she weighs approximately 112 pounds and stands 5 feet, 2 inches tall. Authorities had requested the public's assistance in locating her, urging anyone with information to contact the police department at 956-216-5516.
Public SafetyTwo men facing murder charges in San Juan H-E-B parking lot shooting: Police
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Two men are in custody in connection to a parking lot shooting that occurred Thursday morning at a H-E-B parking lot in San Juan. San Juan police Chief Leandro Sifuentes said the two suspects are facing murder charges. The two suspects, who have not been identified, are scheduled to appear in
Public SafetyWeslaco Fire Department gets $5, 000 grant to put iPads in fire trucks
The Weslaco Fire Department is set to enhance its operations with the addition of iPads in all fire trucks, thanks to a $5,000 grant. These devices will allow firefighters to access building layouts and information about stored materials before entering a structure during emergencies. Fire Chief Antonio Lopez emphasized the importance of strategic planning, stating that preparations can be made well in advance of any incidents. This initiative aims to improve safety and training for firefighters, ensuring they are better equipped for potential emergencies.