Public Safety
Public Safety news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
Public SafetyHusband of Former Employee Accused of Embezzling $750,000 Turns Himself in to Police
Eduardo Nava, a Brownsville resident and husband of former employee Yuliana Perez, has voluntarily surrendered to the Harlingen Police Department in connection with a $750,000 fraud scheme at Valley Cancer Associates. The investigation began on May 19 after the clinic reported financial fraud by a former employee. Yuliana Perez was arrested on August 4, and Eduardo Nava turned himself in on August 18 after being linked to the scheme. Detectives found a bank account in his name used to receive misappropriated funds. He faces second-degree felony charges and has a bail set at $45,000. Authorities are committed to fully investigating the case.
Public SafetyAlert in Brownsville: Increase in Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator Thefts
The Brownsville Police Department has issued an urgent alert to the community due to a rise in vehicle thefts, particularly targeting recent models of Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Wrangler. Authorities are urging residents to take extra precautions, recommending the use of high-visibility immobilization devices like steering wheel locks, as well as mechanical systems and kill switches to deter thieves. The police emphasized the importance of vigilance and proactive measures to avoid becoming victims of car theft. They also encouraged citizens to report any suspicious activity or individuals immediately to local emergency numbers.
Public SafetySTHS honors 3 Edinburg police officers for saving 2-year-old drowning victim
South Texas Health System recognized three officers from the Edinburg Police Department for their heroic efforts in saving a 2-year-old from drowning. Officers Luis Hernandez, Luis Saenz, and Victor Duberney received the STHS Hometown Heroes Award during a ceremony at the police department. In March, they responded to an emergency call about a child found unconscious in a swimming pool. The officers performed CPR while transporting the toddler to the STHS Children's pediatric emergency department. After nearly two weeks in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, the child was discharged with few long-term effects.
Public SafetyWeslaco nursing home residents evacuated after fire breaks out
Residents of Valley Grande Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation in Weslaco were evacuated following a fire incident. The Weslaco Fire Department quickly responded and successfully contained the fire, preventing it from spreading further. One person was taken to the hospital due to heat-related issues, but no other injuries were reported. The swift action of the fire department ensured the safety of the residents during this emergency situation.
Public SafetyValleyCentral Weekend Report: Border wall construction pauses, capital murder trials, UTRGV football special preview
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — In this week’s edition of ValleyCentral Weekend Report, Anchor Alexia Serrata breaks down all the news of the week. Starting with the biggest stories of the week, in case you missed them. A man accused of killing another man in a head-on motorcycle crash was denied a bond reduction request this week. According to
Public SafetyOne injured by heat during Weslaco structure fire, officials say
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — One person was taken to the hospital for "heat-related concerns," following a building fire in Weslaco. According to city officials, the Weslaco Fire Department responded to a fire at 1212 South Bridge on Saturday. Fire crews successfully stopped the fire from spreading; however, city officials say firefighters will remain on scene
Public SafetyRio Grande City firefighters battle house fire
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Rio Grande City Fire Department is on the scene of a house fire Saturday afternoon. According to a social media post from the RGC Fire Department, crews responded to a house fire in the South Midway Road area in Rio Grande City. The La Rosita Volunteer Fire Department was also called
Public SafetyJudge Rejects Karmelo Anthony's Request for a New Trial
A judge has denied Karmelo Anthony's request for a new trial, upholding his 35-year sentence for the stabbing murder of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf in 2025. Retired District Judge Michael Chitty made the ruling after a two-day hearing in Collin County. Anthony's legal team expressed disappointment, arguing that constitutional errors denied him a fair trial and that restrictions on public access raised Sixth Amendment concerns. The defense plans to appeal the decision, emphasizing that significant issues remain unresolved. Anthony was convicted in June for the fatal stabbing that occurred during a confrontation at Kuykendall Stadium on April 2, 2025.
Public SafetyFirefighters Battle Structural Fire in Rio Grande City
Firefighters in Rio Grande City are battling a structural fire that has prompted multiple agencies to assist in controlling and extinguishing the flames. Residents are advised to avoid the area as emergency crews work. Support has come from nearby fire departments, including those from La Grulla, Roma, and La Rosita, as part of a mutual aid operation. The Rio Grande City Fire Department expressed gratitude for the collaboration of these agencies. Authorities will provide further updates on the situation as more information becomes available.
Public SafetyOne person taken to hospital after fire in Weslaco
A fire occurred at a structure located at 1212 South Bridge Avenue in Weslaco, prompting a response from the Weslaco Fire Department. Firefighters successfully prevented the flames from spreading to other areas of the building. They will remain on the scene for at least another hour to continue their operations. One individual was transported to a hospital due to heat-related issues. Authorities stated that more information will be provided as it becomes available.
Public SafetyFlock to Strengthen Oversight Following Police Misuse Cases
Flock Safety, a company known for its vehicle tracking cameras, announced new measures to enhance privacy and prevent misuse of its systems. Starting now, the default data retention period will be reduced from 30 days to one week. Authorities needing longer retention must provide a case number. Flock will also expand its 'Audit Assistance' tool, which blocks users flagged for unusual search activity. While these changes aim to address privacy concerns, critics like the ACLU argue they are insufficient, emphasizing that Flock's technology enables mass surveillance of innocent drivers without warrants, raising significant privacy issues.
Public SafetyMexico Extradites Former Spy to Argentina for Leading Sex Trafficking Ring
Raúl Luis Martins, a former Argentine intelligence agent, has been extradited from Mexico to Argentina to face charges related to leading a human trafficking network for sexual exploitation. The Mexican Attorney General's Office reported that Martins operated this criminal organization from November 2010 until 2019, using commercial establishments for these activities. Despite multiple legal attempts to prevent his extradition, Martins was handed over to Argentine authorities at Cancun International Airport. He faces serious charges including organized crime, human trafficking, and money laundering, and has connections to criminal groups such as Los Zetas and CJNG.
Public Safety'They don’t care about your family': DEA warns of fentanyl threat in the Rio Grande Valley
MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Fentanyl deaths may be declining nationwide, but the Drug Enforcement Administration says the threat remains a serious concern in the Rio Grande Valley. On Fentanyl Awareness Day, the DEA’s McAllen District Office is warning families about the dangers of the powerful synthetic opioid and urging parents to talk with their children
Public SafetySTHS honor 3 Edinburg police officers who save 2-year-old life
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — South Texas Health System honored three Edinburg Police Officers with its Hometown Heroes Awards, following their life-saving actions. On March 24, 2026, Edinburg officers responded to a call involving an unconscious two-year-old child who was pulled from a swimming pool. When officers arrived at the scene, they immediately transported the toddler to
Public SafetyMy immediate response was to save a life: Combes officer revives toddler after mother flags him down
A Combes police officer, Brandon Echavarria, saved a 2-year-old boy's life last week after the child stopped breathing. The boy's mother flagged down Echavarria while trying to get to the hospital. In a state of panic, she explained her son was unresponsive. Without waiting for an ambulance, Echavarria immediately performed CPR, placing the child on his back and administering chest compressions until he detected a pulse. Thanks to his quick actions, the boy survived and has since been released from the hospital. Echavarria urges parents to learn CPR to be prepared for emergencies.
Public SafetyDriver hospitalized after Weslaco police chase ends in crash
A high-speed police chase in Weslaco ended with a crash late Thursday night near 14th Street and Border Avenue. Weslaco Police Chief Robert Lopez reported that officers attempted to pull over a speeding vehicle, but the driver refused to stop, leading to a pursuit. The driver lost control of the car and crashed into a fence close to John Knox Village around 11:12 p.m. The driver was hospitalized for a medical evaluation, but no other injuries were reported. The investigation into the incident is still ongoing.
Public SafetyExpressway reopens following 6-vehicle crash in San Juan
The westbound lanes of the expressway in San Juan have reopened after a six-vehicle accident. The Texas Department of Transportation reported that the incident occurred near the Raul Longoria Road exit around 12:15 p.m. on Friday. San Juan Police Chief Leandro Sifuentes Jr. confirmed that six vehicles were involved, but fortunately, no major injuries were reported as a result of the crash.
Public SafetyKarmelo Anthony dropped plans to testify over track stabbing, lawyer says as teen seeks retrial
Karmelo Anthony, 19, has withdrawn his intention to testify in his murder trial concerning the stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a track meet. His lawyer expressed concerns that prosecutors might introduce damaging evidence about Anthony's past. In June, a jury sentenced Anthony to 35 years in prison for the incident, which has sparked racial tensions and harassment towards both families. Anthony's legal team is seeking a retrial, citing errors that limited access to the case. The judge overseeing the trial has been replaced, and a decision on the retrial is pending.
Public SafetyMcAllen Police Department Now Hiring Police Officers
The McAllen Police Department is accepting applications for police officer positions starting Friday, August 21, 2026. Interested candidates must submit their applications to the Human Resources Department by September 18, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. The Police Officer Entrance Examination is scheduled for October 13, 2026, at the McAllen Convention Center. The annual salary for officers is $67,295, along with benefits such as medical and retirement plans. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, have a high school diploma or GED, and possess a valid driver’s license. For more details, contact the Human Resources Department or visit the city’s website.