Public Safety
Public Safety news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
Public SafetyEdinburg police make 34 DWI arrests during summer holiday enforcement wave
The Edinburg Police Department conducted a DWI enforcement operation from June 19 to July 6, 2026, resulting in 34 arrests, including 13 during the Fourth of July weekend. This initiative, funded by a Texas Department of Transportation grant, aimed to enhance road safety by removing impaired drivers. Police Chief Jaime Ayala emphasized the goal of preventing accidents and ensuring community safety. Edinburg is a No-Refusal City, meaning impaired drivers will be arrested. The department encourages residents to plan for safe transportation options to avoid tragedies related to drunk driving.
Public SafetyDozens arrested in Edinburg DWI enforcement wave
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The Edinburg Police Department concluded its safety initiative aimed at cracking down on impaired drivers. The initiative was funded by the Texas Department of Transportation, granting the Edinburg Police Department to ramp up its patrols during a two-week period. Edinburg police Chief Jaime Ayala said that between June 19 through July
Public SafetySuspect in custody after police pursuit ends in Donna crash
A police pursuit that started in Cameron County concluded with a crash on the expressway in Donna, resulting in the arrest of one man. The chase began with the Cameron County Sheriff's Office pursuing a black Buick Enclave before the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) took over. The incident occurred at the intersection of I-2 and Hutto Road, leading to traffic diversions in the westbound lanes, as reported by TxDOT spokesperson Ray Pedraza. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the situation is still developing, with updates expected soon.
Public SafetyRecords: Former Rio Grande City Wrestling Booster Club president admits to stealing club funds
Jose Lino Ruiz, the former president of the Rio Grande City Rattler Wrestling Booster Club, has been arrested for allegedly stealing $5,400 from the club's checking account. The theft was reported on June 15 by Aleida Benavidez, the Booster Club Vice President, to the local police. Investigations revealed that withdrawals were made between April 6 and May 28, all attributed to Ruiz. He later admitted to the theft, citing a personal emergency, and agreed to repay the stolen funds. The wrestling coach, Ronald Pratt, expressed disappointment but emphasized the need for increased accountability within the club.
Public SafetyTeen charged with lying to police in connection with deadly hit-and-run crash in Edinburg
A second suspect, 17-year-old Jezaie Luis Gonzalez, has been arrested for lying to police about a fatal hit-and-run incident in Edinburg. The crash occurred on June 26 on North McColl Road, where bicyclist David Moreno was struck by a Dodge Caravan that fled the scene. Moreno later succumbed to his injuries. A 16-year-old driver was also arrested for the collision. After the crash, Gonzalez allegedly fabricated a story to mislead investigators, claiming he saw a different vehicle involved. He was arraigned on Tuesday with a bond set at $5,000.
Public SafetyRoad reopens after crash causes diesel spill near Progreso International Bridge
A road in Progreso was reopened after a crash involving two tractor-trailers spilled 150 gallons of diesel. The incident occurred on Tuesday at approximately 10:30 a.m. at the intersection of Calle Santiago Galván and South International Boulevard when one driver failed to stop at a sign, as reported by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Farm-to-Market 1015, located south of Military Highway, was closed for about six hours while a hazardous materials crew worked to clean up the spill. The road was cleared and reopened around 4 p.m. Both drivers were hospitalized with minor injuries.
Public SafetyICE fatally shoots man in Houston after he allegedly tried to run over agent
A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican migrant, in Houston during an enforcement stop early Tuesday. According to ICE, Araujo allegedly attempted to run over the agent while trying to evade arrest. The incident occurred around 7 a.m., and the agent fired in self-defense after Araujo ignored commands. Emergency responders found him with a gunshot wound and he later died at Ben Taub Hospital. Investigations by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are underway, with calls for transparency from local officials and community leaders regarding the shooting.
Public SafetyTxDOT to begin 3 month reconstruction project in Alton
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Texas Department of Transportation has a three-month-long reconstruction project at FM 494 on Shary Road in Alton. According to a news release from TxDOT, the reconstruction project is planned on the east side of FM 494 and Mile 4 East of Alton, which will affect traffic from the intersection to 2,000
Public SafetyTxDOT: US 281 Brooks Co. rest stop closed until further notice
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Texas Department of Transportation has announced that the U.S. 281 Brooks County rest area is temporarily closed. According to a social media post from TxDOT, the rest area has been temporarily closed for maintenance. A TxDOT spokesperson said the rest stop will be closed until further notice.
Public SafetyTri-City Bombers ‘henchman’ sentenced to 21 months in prison
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A member of the Tri-City Bombers was sentenced to 21 months in prison Tuesday after the FBI caught him with one pound of cocaine. Jose Luis Casares II, 29, of Donna worked for a drug dealer known as “D Money,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of
Public SafetySecond arrest made in deadly hit-and-run crash involving bicyclist
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A second person connected to a deadly hit-and-run crash that occurred in Edinburg last month surrendered to police on Tuesday morning. Edinburg resident Jezaie Luis Gonzalez, 17, has been charged with false report to a police officer, a class B misdemeanor. A judge issued a $5,000 bond to Gonzalez shortly after
Public SafetyNightly closures on southbound I-69C in Pharr
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Drivers are asked to seek alternative routes as there will be nightly southbound I-69C main lane road closures in Pharr, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. According to a news release from TxDOT, the scheduled road closures will take place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. from Tuesday to Friday on
Public SafetyDiesel spill causes road closure near Progreso Bridge
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Drivers are being advised to avoid both north and southbound lanes of FM 1015 near the Progreso International Bridge due to a diesel spill, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The north and southbound lanes of FM 1015 south of Military in Progreso are closed, according to the Texas Department
Public SafetyNighttime Westbound I-2 lane closures in Mercedes, July 7-10
From July 7 to July 10, nightly lane closures will occur on westbound Interstate 2 (I-2) in Mercedes, specifically between Mile 1 Road and FM 1015 (International Blvd.). These closures will take place from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. to facilitate pavement repairs on the main travel lanes and bridge approaches. During this time, traffic will be redirected to the westbound I-2 frontage road. Motorists are advised to expect minor delays and to drive carefully in the construction area.
Public SafetyTraffic alert: Crash causes major backup on I-2 in Donna
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Drivers in Donna are being advised to avoid the area of I-2 and Hutto Road as traffic is backed up due to a crash, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. The crash took place on Tuesday morning, causing traffic to slow down from I-2 at Hutta Road to Victoria Road in
Public SafetyEdinburg Police Wrap Up Fourth of July DWI Enforcement with Multiple Arrests
The Edinburg Police Department has completed its DWI enforcement campaign, reporting a total of 34 arrests from June 19 to July 6. The majority of arrests, 13 in total, occurred during the Independence Day weekend. This initiative was supported by a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation, which allowed for additional officer deployment to target impaired drivers. Edinburg maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy for drunk driving, reminding the public that there is no safe amount of alcohol to consume before driving. The department encourages everyone to plan for a sober ride home to prevent accidents.
Public SafetyFour Suspected Extortionists and Drug Dealers Arrested in Mexico City
Federal and local security members in Mexico reported on Tuesday the arrest of four individuals linked to a criminal group involved in extortion and drug sales in the Álvaro Obregón borough of Mexico City. The capture resulted from a coordinated operation between the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), the Attorney General's Office (FGR), and police from the Mexico City Citizen Security Secretariat (SSC), who located and intercepted the vehicle carrying the suspects. According to reports from federal sources, the detainees were identified as suspected members of the criminal group known as 'Los Malcriados 3AD,' an organization that primarily operates in that area of the Mexican capital. The same sources specified that among those arrested are Osvaldo Aldair Torres Huerta, 21, and Maximiliano Farid Martínez Escalona, 20, who have an outstanding arrest warrant for attempted homicide. During the same tactical intervention, security forces also arrested Joaquín Ramos Espinosa, 27, and Ángel Eduardo Torres Díaz, 20, after they were found with the other suspects within the perimeter of the area.
Public SafetySecond Suspect Arrested for Allegedly Lying in Fatal Hit-and-Run Investigation
Edinburg, TX – Police reported the arrest of a second suspect related to the fatal hit-and-run of a cyclist that occurred on June 26 on McColl Road. The suspect, 17-year-old Jezaie Luis Gonzalez, a resident of Edinburg, voluntarily turned himself in to the Police Department on Tuesday. He faces a charge of making a false report to a peace officer, a Class B misdemeanor. According to the investigation, after the accident, the occupants of the involved vehicle arrived at a residence located in the 1800 block of Suaze Street, where they explained what had happened. Subsequently, Gonzalez went to the accident scene and allegedly told officers that he had seen a white Dodge Charger hit the cyclist and flee at high speed south on McColl Road. However, investigators determined that this account was fabricated to mislead the investigation and protect the actual suspect. Following his arrest, Gonzalez was brought before a judge, who set a personal recognizance bond of $5,000. The accident occurred in the early hours of June 26 when 43-year-old David Moreno was riding his bicycle in the center turn lane of North McColl Road and was struck by a vehicle that left the scene. The investigation identified the involved vehicle as a 2014 Dodge Caravan. Authorities previously reported that four minors under the age of 16 were traveling in the van at the time of the crash, and investigations related to the case are ongoing.
Public SafetyAbandoned Items Behind a Cracker Barrel Lead to Arrest in 1985 Murder
Items found abandoned behind a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Georgia played a key role in Ohio prosecutors making an arrest related to the murder of a street vendor that occurred over 40 years ago, authorities reported on Monday. A Warren County grand jury issued a formal indictment with two charges against 62-year-old Randy Lane McAllister, a resident of Columbus, for allegedly participating in the murder of John Christopher Warren on October 17, 1985. Warren, 44, was found dead in his room at a now-closed Holiday Inn in Middletown, just outside Cincinnati, according to county prosecutors. McAllister is accused of killing Warren 'while committing or attempting to commit the crime of aggravated robbery,' according to the formal indictment. Prosecutors noted that the victim's car, a 1985 Oldsmobile, and other belongings were stolen.