Public Safety
Public Safety news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
Public SafetyBail set at $200K for passenger in Alamo expressway crash
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The passenger of a vehicle involved in a high-speed rollover crash with a tractor-trailer in Alamo has been charged. Samantha Vianney Rodriguez appeared in court on Thursday, where she was charged with four counts of endangering a child – imminent bodily injury, Hidalgo County jail records show. A judge set bail
Public SafetyDeputies arrest fugitive with multiple felony warrants in Lyford
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Willacy County Sheriff's Office on Thursday arrested a wanted fugitive with outstanding felony warrants. Jesus Maria Gomez, 41, was arrested on the following charges: According to the Willacy County Sheriff's Office, an anonymous tip about Gomez's location was received on Thursday. Deputies assigned to Operation Stonegarden responded to the residence
Public SafetyAuthorities Seek to Identify Woman in Rio Grande City Theft Case
Rio Grande City police stated that this is an ongoing investigation and released a photograph of the woman. They urged anyone who recognizes her or has information that could assist in the investigation to contact 'RGC Crime Stoppers.' The police reminded the public that reports can be made anonymously by calling (956) 488-8477.
Public SafetyMan hospitalized after marble slab falls on head in Harlingen
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man has been taken to the hospital after a marble slab fell on his head Friday morning, according to the Harlingen Police Department. Police said the man is 34 years old. The incident occurred at approximately 9:10 a.m on the 1500 block of Barton. The man was moving the marble
Public Safety43-year-old bicyclist killed in overnight hit-and-run crash: Edinburg police
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An early Friday morning fatal hit-and-run collision is under investigation by the Edinburg Police Department, according to police. Police said the hit-and-run claimed the life of cyclist David Moreno, 43. At approximately 1 a.m., officers with the Edinburg police responded to the 2000 block of N. McColl Road. Investigators determined Moreno
Public SafetyFather of 7 pleads not guilty in migrant smuggling case
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A father who allegedly smuggled two migrants through Starr County — while his infant child sat in the back seat — pleaded not guilty Monday. Eric Eliel Peña, 32, of Roma is accused of participating in a conspiracy that started in November 2022 and stopped in May 2026. “Not guilty,” Peña
Public SafetyGrandmother Allegedly Killed Her Daughter and Four Grandchildren in New York Apartment
NEW YORK — A 64-year-old woman found dead in her Mechanicville, New York apartment is suspected of having killed her daughter and four grandchildren, police reported on Thursday. The bodies of Amy Steadman and her 44-year-old daughter, Sarah Myers, were discovered Tuesday night after a neighbor requested a wellness check, expressing concern that they had not seen Steadman in some time, Mechanicville Police Chief William Rabbitt said at a press conference. After failing to contact Steadman, officers were able to enter the apartment after building management granted them access, he noted. 'Upon entering the residence, officers located six deceased individuals,' Rabbitt stated.
Public SafetyFugitive Captured After Foot Chase in Lyford
The suspect, Jesús María Gómez, 41, was arrested on June 25 after the Sheriff's Office received an anonymous tip about his whereabouts. According to the official report, officers assigned to Operation Stonegarden responded to a residence located in the 7700 block of Sunset Lane, where they attempted to make contact with him. However, the man fled out the back of the house, leading to a brief foot chase. Gómez now faces a new charge for evading arrest on foot, in addition to outstanding warrants for: burglary of a vehicle, assault on a public servant, and abuse of a credit or debit card belonging to an elderly person.
Public SafetyFour Minors Investigated After Fatal Hit-and-Run in Edinburg
David Moreno, 43, was killed in a hit-and-run accident on June 26 around 1:00 a.m. on the 2000 block of North McColl Road in Edinburg. Police reports indicate that Moreno was riding his bicycle southbound in the center lane when he was struck from behind by a vehicle that fled the scene. Later that day, the parents of four 16-year-old teenagers reported the incident to the Edinburg Police Department. The vehicle involved is believed to be a 2014 Dodge Caravan, and the four teens were allegedly inside at the time of the crash. No arrests or charges have been made yet. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Edinburg Police Department at (956) 289-7700 or Edinburg Crime Stoppers at (956) 383-8477.
Public SafetyMexican Army Seizes Flamethrower in Matamoros Ejido
On June 24, the Mexican Army seized a significant cache of weapons in the ejido of Matamoros, Tamaulipas, as part of efforts to combat organized crime. The haul included 33 firearms, a flamethrower, two grenade launchers, and five vehicles—one factory-armored and two with homemade armor. All the tactical equipment and vehicles have been turned over to the Attorney General's Office (FGR) for further investigation.
Public SafetyBrownsville leaders explain shutdown of midtown bars, dozens of violations
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- A Cameron County judge issued a temporary restraining order for a group of bars in Brownsville that were shut down by the city, now allowing the bars to operate temporarily. Owners of seven bars at Sunshine Plaza said city officials arrived around 4:45 p.m. Wednesday with notices ordering the businesses to
Public SafetyDHR Health provides fire safety tips ahead of Fourth of July
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — DHR Health is raising awareness and providing fire safety tips ahead of the Fourth of July. Healthcare leaders advise practicing precautions before setting off fireworks and getting the grill ready for the annual celebration. "Our goal is prevention," said DHR Health trauma surgeon Dewayne Edwards. "If we can get preventive information
Public SafetyTrump says the Reflecting Pool looks 'beautiful' despite alleged vandalism
President Donald Trump reiterated on Thursday night claims that the Reflecting Pool was vandalized and stated that a suspect had been 'caught,' while the pool remains covered in green algae and pieces of its lining are coming off. 'We caught some people vandalizing our beautiful Reflecting Pool,' Trump said in the Rose Garden. 'They used a cutting tool, a cutter or something very sharp… and threw some fertilizer into the water, which is not good.' 'But they were caught. In fact, they were caught, and those individuals have problems ahead, but they caused damage,' he continued. At least six people have been arrested on charges related to the vandalism of the pool, Trump said this week.
Public SafetyBodies identified in Houston-area death investigation linked to the Valley
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences has released the identities of the two men who were found dead in the back of a van that was purchased in the Rio Grande Valley. The bodies of Jose Andres Joaquin Modesto, 29, and Omar Silbino Santizo Ramirez, 39, were found on June
Public SafetyBond set for woman charged in connection with Alamo expressway crash
Samantha Vianney Rodriguez appeared in court on Thursday after being arrested for her role in a June 19 rollover crash on an Alamo expressway that injured a 5-year-old child. Along with Francisco Davila Jr., she faces charges of child endangerment. Rodriguez was arraigned on four counts, with her bond set at $200,000. The crash occurred when their silver Dodge Durango collided with a tractor-trailer, reportedly due to excessive speed and an unsafe lane change. The child remains in critical condition, and several passengers were ejected and injured. The tractor-trailer driver, Jose Fidencio Luna Ramirez, initially fled but later returned to the scene.
Public SafetyBond reduction request denied for Mission man charged in deadly motorcycle crash
Apolonio Perez, a suspect in a fatal motorcycle crash, had his request to reduce a $3.25 million bond denied by Judge J.R. 'Bobby' Flores. Perez faces charges of murder, intoxication manslaughter, and evading arrest after a May 3 incident that resulted in the death of 23-year-old John Alonso. The crash occurred when Perez, fleeing from Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, drove into oncoming traffic. A toxicology report indicated Perez had a blood alcohol concentration of .19. His attorney argued for bond reduction, citing Perez's wheelchair use and time in custody, but the judge ruled against it, stating Perez
Public SafetyRIDE-ALONG: An inside look at the Cameron County Sheriff's Office SWAT team
CAMERON COUNTY, Texas (ValleyCentral) – At an undisclosed location in Cameron County, a small but highly trained group of deputies prepares for some of the most dangerous calls in law enforcement. The Cameron County Sheriff's Office SWAT team may be limited in size – about nine operators – but what they lack in numbers, they
Public SafetyDEA Calls for Internal Investigation into Allegations of Agents Allowing Fentanyl to Circulate
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration requested on Thursday that the internal oversight of the Department of Justice investigate allegations from an informant claiming that DEA agents allowed hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills to reach the streets of New Mexico. This request came days after an Associated Press investigation found that agents repeatedly monitored—yet did not seize—large shipments of the synthetic opioid in an effort to build larger criminal cases between 2023 and 2025. In a letter sent Thursday to the Department of Justice's inspector general, DEA Administrator Terry Cole stated that an internal investigation is necessary because 'the allegations have generated significant public attention and raised questions about DEA's operational decisions, management oversight, and response to concerns.' In a public statement, Cole emphasized that his request 'should not be interpreted as a reflection of a lack of confidence in the professionalism or integrity of DEA personnel, nor in the investigative decisions made in this matter.' 'If improvements are identified, the DEA will implement them,' he added. 'Strong institutions are upheld—not weakened—by objective oversight and a willingness to continuously assess and improve.'
Public SafetyTractor-trailer driver stayed after Alamo expressway crash, then left: Records
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A tractor-trailer driver charged in connection with an Alamo crash that injured multiple people initially stayed on the expressway after the collision, but then later left the scene, according to an affidavit obtained by ValleyCentral. Jose Fidencio Luna Ramirez, 40, of Mexico, has been identified as the driver of a white