Public Safety
Public Safety news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
Public SafetyCBP Seizes Nearly $15 Million in Methamphetamine Hidden in Celery Shipment in Pharr
PHARR, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized nearly $15 million in suspected methamphetamine that was hidden in a shipment declared as fresh celery at the Pharr International Bridge, federal authorities reported on Wednesday. The seizure occurred on August 15 at the bridge's cargo facilities when CBP agents inspected a trailer coming from Reynosa, Mexico, carrying a load declared as fresh celery. The vehicle was sent for a secondary inspection, where officers used non-intrusive inspection equipment and detected anomalies in the shipment. During a physical inspection, officers found 721 packages of suspected methamphetamine, weighing a combined total of 1,675.51 pounds, approximately 760 kilograms, concealed within the cargo, according to CBP. Authorities estimated the value of the seized drugs at $14,978,000. "This successful methamphetamine seizure is a direct result of our officers' keen intuition, combined with our sophisticated tools and technology," said Carlos Rodríguez, director of the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzaldúas Port of Entry. Rodríguez added that officers are trained to detect beyond what is visible and emphasized the use of scanning equipment to combat attempts to illegally introduce narcotics into the country. CBP reported that both the narcotics and the vehicle were confiscated. Special agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) have initiated a criminal investigation related to the seizure. Authorities did not provide information in the statement regarding potential arrests or individuals charged in connection with the shipment.
Public SafetyMission Police Release New Images Following Fatal Shooting Involving Officers
The Mission Police Department released images related to a fatal shooting involving officers that occurred on August 16. Chief César Torres stated that the release aims to clarify misinformation about the incident. The police emphasized the importance of allowing the investigation to proceed without premature conclusions. The Texas Rangers are leading the investigation into the shooting, which happened around 12:04 a.m. on Oblate Avenue after officers responded to a 911 call. The individual involved was reportedly armed with a knife and advanced toward officers, leading to the use of firearms. No officers were injured, and they are on administrative leave during the investigation.
Public SafetyThird person dies after wrong-way crash near Palmview
A third victim has died following a wrong-way crash in Palmview, as confirmed by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Efren Garcia-Saldivar, 22, from Mission, succumbed to his injuries on August 17, after the collision that occurred on August 14. The crash involved a Ford Fusion traveling south and a Chevrolet Malibu driven by Garcia-Saldivar heading north in the wrong lane. His passenger, 19-year-old Brianna Yatziri Saucedo, died at the scene, while the driver of the Ford, 25-year-old Jonathan Tellez-Sosa, also lost his life. The Ford's passenger remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Public SafetyJury selection underway for Donna father accused of killing daughter
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A pre-trial hearing was held on Tuesday for a Donna father accused of killing his 3-year-old daughter. Jose Manuel Uresti was arrested in November 2024 and has been charged with murder, two counts of injury to a child, and aggravated assault of a family member with a weapon. During Tuesday's hearing,
Public SafetyBorder Patrol agent hit Mexican man with on-duty vehicle during Harlingen immigration operation
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Border Patrol agent who hit a Mexican man with a vehicle during an immigration operation in 2025 has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Border Patrol Agent Raymundo Ramos Jr., 41, was arrested on the second-degree felony charge in June 2026, according to an arrest warrant obtained
Public SafetyRaymondville man sentenced for killing 70-year-old boyfriend
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Raymodnville man who killed his 70-year-old boyfriend in 2025 has been sentenced to 25 years in prison, according to Cameron County court records. A court docket entry shows that Bernabe Vanegas Jr. waived his right to a jury trial and took a plea bargain on Aug. 13, pleading guilty to
Public SafetyJudge sets bond at $1 million for businessman with Gulf Cartel connections
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A businessman with Gulf Cartel connections turned himself in last week after more than three years on the run. Rigoberto Brown, 41, of Brownsville allegedly worked for Carlos Favian Martinez, the son-in-law of Gulf Cartel boss Osiel Cardenas Guillen. Martinez extorted people who exported cars from the United States to Central
Public SafetyThird person dies after wrong-way crash in Palmview
A third victim has died following a wrong-way collision in Palmview. Efren Garcia-Saldivar, 22, from Mission, succumbed to his injuries on August 17 after being critically injured in the crash on August 14. The accident occurred on Texan Road, where a Chevrolet Malibu, driven by Garcia-Saldivar, was traveling northbound in the wrong lane and collided head-on with a southbound Ford Fusion. Garcia-Saldivar's passenger, 19-year-old Brianna Yatziri Saucedo, died at the scene, while the Ford's driver, 25-year-old Jonathan Tellez-Sosa, also perished on-site. A passenger in the Ford is still hospitalized in critical condition.
Public SafetyMotorcyclist denied bond reduction after not guilty plea in deadly Mission crash
Apolonio Perez, accused in a fatal motorcycle crash in Mission, pleaded not guilty to charges including murder and intoxication manslaughter. During a recent hearing, his attorneys sought a bond reduction from the current $3 million, citing his lack of criminal history and medical issues from the crash. However, the judge denied the request, expressing concerns about Perez being a flight risk. The incident occurred on May 3 when Perez collided with another motorcyclist while fleeing from law enforcement. His next court appearance is set for September 22.
Public Safety"Drive Drunk and You'll Be Arrested": Increased Patrols Announced on U.S. Routes
As part of the annual campaign to prevent traffic accidents caused by drunk drivers, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Tuesday that patrols will be increased across the United States from August 19 to September 7, Labor Day. The initiative "Drive Drunk and You'll Be Arrested" aims to help authorities identify and stop those driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to a statement. In 2025, deaths caused by drunk drivers decreased by 4%, in contrast to 2024, when 30% of reported deaths were due to this cause, according to the NHTSA. The Department of Transportation stated that one person died every 44 minutes in a crash caused by someone driving under the influence of alcohol in 2024.
Public SafetyTexas DPS Reminds College Students to Prioritize Safety
As the fall semester begins, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) urges college students to prioritize safety on and off campus. DPS emphasizes awareness of surroundings, responsible decision-making, and avoiding distractions while walking or driving. Students are advised to lock their dorms and vehicles, share their location with trusted friends, and report any suspicious activity. The iWatchTexas program is highlighted as a resource for reporting concerns. Additionally, DPS offers safety education and resources, including the Active Shooter Alert System, to enhance campus security. Students are reminded to call 911 in emergencies and to download the iWatchTexas app.
Public SafetyPeñitas Man with 56,000 Child Sexual Abuse Files sent to Prison for 9 Years
A 29-year-old Penitas resident has been ordered to federal prison for receiving and distributing child pornography.
Public SafetyJudge denies bond reduction for man accused in fatal Mission crash
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A judge on Tuesday denied a bond reduction for a man accused in a fatal motorcycle crash. Apolonio Perez's bond will remain at $3.25 million. Perez's lawyers argued during a court hearing in the 332nd District Court Tuesday morning that Perez is in a wheelchair and is not getting proper care
Public SafetyAuthorities: University Fraternity Newbies in the U.S. Were Handling Cocaine for Trafficking Network
Authorities reported that several pledges at Pennsylvania State University, also known as Penn State, were forced to cut and package cocaine for a drug trafficking network operating out of two fraternity houses off-campus. The illicit initiation came to light on Monday when Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced charges against 14 individuals—13 of whom are current or former Penn State students—related to the alleged drug network. The man accused of leading the operation, 24-year-old Agostino Abbatiello, turned himself in on Tuesday after failing to appear the previous day for a scheduled arraignment on charges including possession of narcotics with intent to distribute and conspiracy. He was ordered to be jailed without bail. A message was left for Abbatiello's attorney seeking comment. According to court documents, the network operated in 2023 and 2024, fueled by wholesale amounts of cocaine that two of the defendants obtained from contacts in Philadelphia and New York.
Public SafetyThird person dies in connection with head-on crash in Palmview: DPS
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A third person is dead following a head-on crash in Palmview over the weekend, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Efren Garcia Saldivar, 22, of Mission died from his injuries on Monday, according to DPS. At approximately 9:26 p.m. on Friday, DPS troopers responded to Texan Road in Hidalgo
Public SafetyFederal Inspector to Review DEA's Tactic of Allowing Fentanyl on the Streets
The internal oversight body of the U.S. Department of Justice announced on Monday a review of a controversial tactic in which federal law enforcement allowed fentanyl to reach the streets in order to build stronger cases against drug traffickers. The review will examine government policies and investigations involving wiretaps in which the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) may have known about fentanyl deliveries before they occurred but chose not to act in order to avoid jeopardizing larger prosecutions. Agents and former agents indicated that this investigative strategy—known as allowing drugs to 'walk'—amounts to a gamble with public safety and may have violated Department of Justice guidelines aimed at protecting communities from a synthetic opioid that the White House designated last year as a 'weapon of mass destruction.' The review comes less than two months after an Associated Press investigation found that DEA agents repeatedly tracked—yet did not seize—significant shipments of fentanyl in New Mexico between 2023 and 2025. This announcement was made in a press release from the Department of Justice's Inspector General, Don Berthiaume, marking one of his first official actions after taking office on Friday.
Public SafetyRecords: Former Harlingen cancer clinic finance director stole more than $750K through 87 transactions
Yuliana Perez, a 40-year-old woman from Brownsville, is accused of stealing over $750,000 from Valley Cancer Associates in Harlingen while serving as the finance director. According to a police report filed by Dr. Mark Harrison on May 19, 2026, Perez executed 87 fraudulent transactions between May 2025 and April 2026, diverting funds to her personal accounts disguised as legitimate business expenses. A review of financial records revealed discrepancies in her W-2 forms and paid time off, leading to her termination on April 9, 2026. Perez was arrested on August 4, 2026, with a bond set at $100,000.
Public SafetyFM 2556 in La Feria to Close for Emergency Railroad Repairs, Aug. 18-21
FM 2556 in La Feria will be closed to through traffic from Tuesday, August 18, to Friday, August 21, for emergency repairs on the railroad tracks. The closure will affect the stretch between US Business Highway 83 and Interstate 2. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and find alternative routes during this period. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has provided this information to help minimize disruptions for drivers.
Public Safety"Chucky" or "Terror Tot"? Masked Figure Terrifies Pedestrians in Philadelphia
As the search continues for the masked individual terrorizing people in Center City, Philadelphia, investigators are assessing the type of mask used by the suspect. Philadelphia Police Captain Jason Smith stated on August 17 that it resembled a Chucky mask, but after reviewing social media, they believe it is a so-called "Terror Tot." Both masks are certainly from children's characters that commit acts of terror on screen. Detectives are urging anyone who was approached by this person, believed to be a young man aged 15 to 20, on August 12, 2026, between 15th Street and JFK Boulevard near City Hall, to come forward. Surveillance footage captured the suspect chasing a woman who was exercising, and she reported that the individual said to her, "Are you ready to die?" The police stated that their cyber experts are searching for clues on social media regarding this feared suspect, as the individual was recording with a cellphone when he approached his victims. So far, they have not located the suspect. If you were one of the individuals affected by the masked figure, you can alert the Philadelphia Police tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477).