Public Safety
Public Safety news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
Public SafetySheriff: 4 dead south of San Benito
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) - The Cameron County Sheriff's Office is currently investigating a quadruple homicide. Sheriff Manuel Trevino said the details are limited, but we do not it happened at the 3200 block of Road 819, south of San Benito. The neighborhood is off of Juan Garza Jr. Road, south of the expressway, We currently
Public SafetyBREAKING: Heavy police presence outside San Benito
Cameron County authorities are investigating a shooting on Highway 819 that resulted in the deaths of four adults early Sunday morning near San Benito. Sheriff Manuel Treviño confirmed that the victims were related and that only one suspect has been arrested, with no further suspects expected. Emergency services received the call around 3:00 a.m. Treviño expressed condolences to the victims' family and noted that the identities of the deceased have not yet been released as the investigation is ongoing and formal notifications to relatives are being made.
Public SafetySuspect Identified in Quadruple Homicide Near San Benito
Cameron County — Authorities have identified Christian Joel Maldonado as the alleged shooter responsible for a shooting that left four people dead early Sunday morning on the outskirts of San Benito. Cameron County Sheriff Manuel Treviño confirmed that Maldonado is in custody and stated that, based on the information available so far, they do not expect to make any additional arrests related to the case. 'We have four people murdered, we have a suspect in custody. We do not expect any more arrests,' Treviño said during an update on the investigation. The incident was reported around 3:00 a.m. in the 32000 block of Highway 819. The four victims, all adults, were found with gunshot wounds. Authorities have not disclosed their identities, ages, or genders as the investigation continues. However, Treviño confirmed that all four victims were related in some way. 'In one way or another, the victims are related as family, but we cannot provide further details,' the sheriff explained. Investigators are continuing to work to determine what may have motivated the attack. Maldonado is expected to appear before a judge for a formal reading of the charges against him.
Public SafetyLane closures scheduled on toll road in Cameron County
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority (CCRMA) has scheduled partial lane closures on toll road State Highway 550. The partial lane closures will begin on Monday, Sept. 14 as work crews perform routine maintenance on north and southbound lanes of the major roadway. Closures will be in effect daily through Thursday,
Public SafetyMission police receive $1. 2 million grant for new equipment, overtime pay
The Mission Police Department has secured a $1.2 million grant through Operation Lone Star, aimed at enhancing public safety and combating border-related crime. This funding will enable the department to deploy additional officers and acquire new equipment, including two Skywatch towers for improved surveillance. The grant, sourced from Governor Greg Abbott's office, will also cover officer overtime and provide new radios and gear. Mission Police Chief Cesar Torres emphasized the importance of proper equipment and training for officers. Notably, the grant does not require any local matching funds, allowing the city to utilize the full amount without tapping into local tax revenues. The funds will be allocated throughout fiscal year 2027.
Public SafetyCallers impersonating Cameron County employees: Sheriff
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Cameron County Sheriff Manuel Trevino is alerting residents of a phone call scheme involving impersonators claiming to be with the Cameron County Sheriff's Office. According to Trevino, the impersonators are making calls to residents about outstanding arrest warrants. Trevino warns the public not to provide any personal information or make payments
Public SafetyMexico Arrests American Linked to Arms Trafficking for the Sinaloa Cartel
Mexican security forces arrested Yanet 'N', a U.S. citizen identified as a logistical operator for a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel involved in arms trafficking, in the border state of Sonora, federal authorities reported on Friday. The arrest was made by elements of the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar), in coordination with the Secretariat of National Defense, the Attorney General's Office (FGR), the National Guard, and the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), during surveillance patrols near the border bridge between Mexico and the United States in the municipality of San Luis Río Colorado. Authorities also seized 5,445 live cartridges and a vehicle during the operation.
Public SafetyAlton man indicted in killing parents, grandmother
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A 19-year-old man was indicted Thursday on multiple charges after being accused in the shooting deaths of his father, mother and grandmother inside their Alton home. Guarav Chopra was indicted on charges of capital murder of several family members, attempt to commit capital murder and evading arrest by prompting a high-speed
Public SafetyGovernor Abbott Honors First Responders At 2026 Star of Texas Awards
Governor Greg Abbott honored first responders at the 2026 Star of Texas Awards held in Austin on September 11, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks. The awards recognize the dedication of peace officers, firefighters, and emergency medical responders. In his speech, Abbott emphasized the bravery of those who serve and protect communities, stating that their sacrifices ensure freedom for all Americans. Award recipients included individuals from various law enforcement and emergency services across Texas, highlighting their commitment to public safety and heroism in the line of duty.
Public SafetyCameron County Sheriff's Office Warns About Phone Scams
The Cameron County Sheriff's Office has issued a community alert after noticing an increase in fraudulent calls from individuals impersonating authorities and claiming that victims have outstanding arrest warrants. Authorities recommend not sharing personal information or making payments over the phone. They also suggest requesting the badge number, identification of the supposed officer, and a contact number before continuing any conversation.
Public SafetyDomestic Violence Allegations Raise Questions About Dissenting Juror in Lindsay Clancy Trial
The investigative team from Telemundo New England and NBC10 Boston reveals new details about the only dissenting juror in the murder trial of Lindsay Clancy. Court documents and interviews with family members reveal a history of domestic violence allegations. Investigators also uncovered an ongoing eviction case related to months of unpaid rent and found an active restraining order against the juror while he was hearing evidence in the case. These details raise questions about the jury selection process and how this Plymouth County resident was chosen for a high-profile case that ended in a mistrial. The investigative team has repeatedly attempted to contact the juror at his home, where his landlord is currently seeking to evict him. He has not been identified at this time as he has chosen not to speak publicly, and the juror list remains under judicial seal. However, experts believe there were warning signs regarding how he completed his juror questionnaire. In September 2021, the dissenting juror in the Clancy case faced a criminal charge for assaulting his wife in Brockton District Court. According to a police report, the juror's 13-year-old nephew called 911 after claiming that his uncle had choked his wife and thrown her against a dresser. The report indicates that the juror's mother was repeatedly shouting, 'You’re evil!' as police proceeded with the arrest. Court records show that the couple divorced after the incident and that the criminal charge was later dismissed. This week, the juror's ex-wife stated that she did not want to testify in the case because she feared losing custody of their daughter. Last year, the same teenage nephew mentioned in the 2021 incident obtained a restraining order after claiming that the juror pushed him to the ground and struck him repeatedly in the face. In his affidavit, the young man wrote that his uncle then told him, 'You ruined my (damn) life' for calling the police and added, 'This was going to happen to you sooner or later.' That restraining order was still in effect when the juror was selected for the Clancy trial and heard evidence in this controversial case for weeks. 'I don’t see how they would have allowed him to be part of this jury,' said Michael Coyne, chief legal analyst for our sister station NBC10 Boston. The standard juror questionnaire in Massachusetts clearly asks if a person has been arrested, charged with a crime, or notified of a court order. All those boxes should have been checked by this juror. 'I don’t see how, if those questions had been answered correctly, either party would have taken the risk of allowing him to sit on the jury,' Coyne said. In addition to the aforementioned allegations, housing court records show that the dissenting juror has not paid his monthly rent since last March. While jurors were deliberating last week, the landlord obtained a judgment for over $12,000 in unpaid rent and is moving forward with the eviction process, according to court records. When the Clancy trial ended without a verdict, several jurors described how the dissenting member refused to participate in deliberations. They called him 'arrogant' and stated that he did not interact with them. One juror described his behavior as 'shocking.' Family members of the dissenting juror claim he has been estranged from the family since the incident with his nephew. None of them were aware of his participation in the Clancy trial. One relative described him as a 'narcissist' and stated that he should never have been part of the jury in such an important case. Following these revelations, Coyne said he believes prosecutors will need to review the juror's questionnaire to determine if the information provided was truthful. 'In fact, failing to do so constitutes a crime,' he stated. NBC10 Boston reached out to the Plymouth District Attorney's Office regarding these findings, as well as to Clancy's defense team. Both parties declined to comment on Friday afternoon. Juror questionnaires are not public documents, so it is unclear whether the document in question still exists or if it was destroyed after the declaration of the mistrial. As a result, the investigative team from Telemundo New England and NBC10 Boston cannot confirm how the juror completed that questionnaire.
Public SafetyNightly Milling, Paving Planned on US 83 in Rio Grande City
Nighttime milling and paving operations are set to begin on US 83 in Rio Grande City starting Sunday, September 13, and will last through Thursday, September 17. The project will take approximately four weeks and will occur between Charco Blanco Road and Fairgrounds Road. Drivers should expect temporary lane closures and potential delays in this busy area of downtown Rio Grande City. Digital message boards will be in place to inform motorists about the ongoing work.
Public SafetyPolice Mobilization Reported in Mission Neighborhood
Authorities are conducting an active investigation in a neighborhood of Mission on the 2300 block of Elizabeth Street. So far, the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office has informed Telemundo 40 that the case remains under investigation and that no further details will be provided at this time. This is a developing story. We will keep you informed as authorities release new information.
Public SafetyFlorida Mother Accused of Burning Daughter and Tying Her to a Chair for 'Misbehaving'
FLORIDA — A mother from Hialeah is facing charges after her 10-year-old daughter reported that she was burned and tied to a chair with a rope or handcuffs for 'misbehaving,' authorities said. Gineth Ramírez, 35, was arrested and is charged with aggravated child abuse causing great bodily harm, according to Miami-Dade jail records. According to an arrest report, the girl was at school when she claimed her mother burned her due to her behavior. A child protection investigator met with the girl, who stated that her mother burned her on the arm and legs for misbehaving and also made her sit in a chair and then tied her hands behind her with a rope or handcuffs, the report noted. What did the mother say? A Department of Children and Families investigator observed three abrasions on the girl that appeared to be first-degree burn marks, including one on her forearm, another on her shin, and another on the inner part of her upper right thigh, the report indicated. Subsequently, Ramírez told investigators that they were in the kitchen preparing flan and that some spilled on the girl's leg, but she claimed she did not know how her daughter sustained the other two injuries, according to the report. She admitted to disciplining the girl by making her sit in a chair and face the wall when she misbehaves, but stated she had never tied her hands, the report noted. Ramírez was arrested and booked into jail, and on Friday, she appeared in court in tears. A judge assigned her a public defender but denied her bail. 'Ma'am, you have a restraining order from the 10-year-old girl; you cannot have any direct or indirect contact,' the judge told her. The girl was scheduled for a forensic interview and an evaluation with the child protection team. The case remains under investigation.
Public SafetyDEA McAllen seizes 2,000 pounds of alleged meth from cabbage shipment
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The DEA McAllen office seized over 2,000 pounds of methamphetamine, the DEA Houston office announced Thursday. According to the DEA Houston office, the methamphetamine was found hidden within a shipment of cabbage. "This major seizure is part of a Homeland Security Taskforce Investigation, conducted jointly with HSI, FBI, CBP, USB, and
Public SafetyWoman who allegedly filmed herself counting drug money held without bond
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A woman accused of counting cash at a stash house was held without bond Tuesday. Leila Lizette Vallejo, 21, of Donna allegedly recorded herself counting cash at a stash house in Mission. When federal agents searched the stash house, they found about $903,000 in cash — and videos of Vallejo counting
Public SafetyWoman pleads guilty to failing to report an alleged sexual assault against a minor
Hidalgo County court documents reveal that Roxanne Chavez pleaded guilty to failing to report an aggravated sexual assault against a minor, according to a deferred adjudication order filed with the court. According to court records, a Hidalgo County judge granted her three years of deferred adjudication. As part of the resolution, Roxanne Chavez must register as a sex offender and pay a $1,500 fine, along with $500 in attorney fees and other court costs. Judge Rose Guerra Reyna granted Roxanne Chavez deferred adjudication for a period of three years, allowing her to avoid a formal conviction as long as she complies with the conditions set by the court. Although court documents indicate there was sufficient evidence to support her guilt, the judge determined that deferred adjudication was the most appropriate resolution for this case.
Public SafetyFamily of Weslaco teen fights to keep Alani Nu energy drink lawsuit alive in appeals court
The family of Larissa Rodriguez, a Weslaco teen who died after consuming Alani Nu energy drinks, is appealing to keep their wrongful death lawsuit against the product's distributors alive. The case is currently under review by the 13th Court of Appeals. Larissa passed away in October 2025 due to an enlarged heart linked to caffeine intake. The lawsuit targets Glazer’s Beer and Beverage, LLC, which the family claims knew the drinks were dangerous for minors. The distributors argue they only distributed the drinks and did not manufacture them. A trial court previously allowed the lawsuit to proceed despite the distributors' dismissal request.
Public Safety1 man arrested after Brownsville auto theft triggers lockdown at several nearby schools, police say
Brownsville Police arrested one man after a stolen vehicle was discovered near several schools, prompting lockdowns at multiple campuses. The vehicle was reported stolen early Thursday and found around 10:54 a.m. in an alley between East 21st and East 22nd Streets. When officers approached, two men fled the scene; one was apprehended, while the other remains at large. In response to the situation, Brownsville ISD placed Canales Elementary, Faulk Middle School, Lincoln Park High School, Cromack-Castaneda Elementary, and Porter Early College High School on lockdown. The lockdown was lifted after the search concluded, and the vehicle was returned to its owner.