Public Safety
Public Safety news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
Public SafetyThe law will catch up to you: DA confirms arrest of fugitive former Hidalgo County District clerk
Omar Guerrero, a former Hidalgo County District clerk, was arrested in Mexico after being a fugitive for 13 years. He faces charges related to a 2013 child sexual assault investigation and other outstanding warrants. The Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office confirmed his arrest, stating that Guerrero will return to the U.S. within two days. His capture resulted from a collaboration between local and federal agencies. Guerrero was previously charged with sexual assault but was acquitted in 2007. He fled to Reynosa after a 2013 arrest for cocaine possession and tampering with identification numbers, but now he will face justice in court.
Public SafetyTeen suspect wanted in connection with McAllen robbery in custody
A 17-year-old from Pharr, Francisco Santana Jr., is in custody on an aggravated robbery charge after being identified as a suspect in an armed robbery in McAllen. The incident occurred on Sunday night around 10 p.m. in the 1000 block of Houston Avenue, where a 34-year-old victim reported that her belongings were taken at gunpoint. McAllen police confirmed Santana's arrest occurred the day after the robbery. He was booked on Tuesday with a bond set at $25,000, and authorities reported that the stolen property has been recovered.
Public Safety2 men found dead in Houston inside vehicle bought at an auction in the Rio Grande Valley
Two men were discovered dead in a vehicle at an auto body shop in north Harris County on Saturday morning. The bodies were found after employees reported a foul smell. The vehicle had been towed to the shop on Friday and was purchased at an auction in the Rio Grande Valley. Authorities believe the men had been deceased for over 24 hours. The victims were identified as 29-year-old Jose Andres Joaquin Modesto and 39-year-old Omar Silbino Santizo Ramirez. The vehicle was sent for repairs because it was wrecked and not drivable, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.
Public SafetyFeds charge businesswoman in $114 million Medicaid fraud case
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A businesswoman who convinced Cameron County to send people with mental health problems to a ranch near Raymondville for rehabilitation surrendered to the FBI on Wednesday morning to face healthcare fraud charges. Brandy Kaye Hernandez, 48, of Richmond, Texas, owned Inspired Behavioral Health. Hernandez convinced Cameron County to send people with
Public SafetyTexas AG Targets Carnival Cruise Line After Massive Hack Compromises 800K Texans
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into Carnival Corporation following a significant data breach in April 2026 that affected around 6 million individuals, including over 800,000 Texans. The breach was caused by social-engineering tactics that compromised an employee's account, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive personal information such as names, contact details, and payment information. Carnival reported the breach to the Attorney General's office 44 days after it occurred. Paxton aims to ensure accountability and proper security measures are in place to protect Texans' personal data, emphasizing the seriousness of data breaches.
Public SafetyIllegal Alien Sentenced to nearly 20 Years After Tossing Bags of Meth Out Window in Police Pursuit
Victor Manuel Gaytan, a 27-year-old illegal immigrant from Mexico, has been sentenced to 235 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. imposed the sentence after Gaytan, a repeat offender, pleaded guilty to the charges. During a police pursuit on November 4, 2025, Gaytan attempted to evade law enforcement, discarding a bag containing three kilograms of meth from his vehicle. Following his prison term, he will face five years of supervised release and is expected to undergo deportation proceedings. The investigation was led by the DEA with assistance from local police.
Public SafetyFormer Hidalgo County District clerk on the run since 2013 arrested in Mexico: Sheriff
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — After being on the run since 2013, former Hidalgo County District Clerk Omar Guerrero was arrested in Mexico, the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office announced Wednesday. Guerrero, 49, was found living in Tulum, Mexico, where he was taken into custody on Tuesday, according to Hidalgo County District Attorney Toribio "Terry" Palacios. Palacios
Public SafetyI dont want him to get out: Victim family pushes back as Mission murder suspect tries to lower $3. 25 million bond
The family of John Alonso, a motorcyclist killed in a wrong-way crash in Mission, is opposing a request from the suspect, Apolonio Perez, to lower his bond from $3.25 million. Alonso was struck while riding on May 3 by Perez, who was fleeing law enforcement and had a blood alcohol level of .19. The family describes Alonso as a joyful person who loved making others laugh. They are advocating for justice, emphasizing that Alonso was not at fault in the accident. A bond reduction hearing for Perez is scheduled for Thursday, as the family seeks to keep him in custody.
Public SafetyI dont want him to get out: Victim family pushes back as Mission murder suspect tries to lower $3. 25 million bond
The family of John Alonso, a motorcyclist killed in a wrong-way crash in Mission, is opposing a request by suspect Apolonio Perez to lower his bond from over $3 million. Alonso was struck on May 3 while riding on the frontage road near Holland Avenue by Perez, who was fleeing from law enforcement. Charged with murder and intoxication manslaughter, Perez had a blood alcohol level of .19 at the time of the incident. Alonso's family, devastated by his loss, emphasizes his joyful spirit and the importance of justice, as they seek to remember him for his life, not his tragic death. A bond reduction hearing is scheduled for Thursday.
Public SafetyWeslaco holds annual emergency management meeting with city agencies
Weslaco conducted its annual emergency management stakeholders meeting, uniting emergency managers, public safety agencies, and city personnel to discuss disaster response strategies. During the meeting, officials emphasized the importance of collaboration in times of crisis. Hidalgo County Commissioner Precinct 1, David Fuentes, highlighted the need for coordinated efforts, stating, "We all need to work together." Additionally, city leaders acknowledged the role of the faith-based coalition, which recently assisted by providing shelter and transportation for individuals affected by last week's flooding.
Public SafetyLane closures planned for San Juan and McAllen
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Starting Tuesday night, there will be lane closures in San Juan and McAllen. From 8 p.m. on Tuesday to 6 a.m. Friday, the Westbound I-2 Veterans Boulevard exit ramp in San Juan will be closed. In McAllen, the westbound I-2 main lanes between McColl Road and 2nd Street will also be fully
Public SafetyTwo Arrested in Alamo Crash Where a Minor Was Ejected from the Vehicle
Authorities arrested Francisco Dávila Jr. and Samantha Vianney Rodríguez in connection with the accident that occurred on June 19 on Expressway 83 in Alamo, which left several people injured, including a 5-year-old child. According to the Alamo Police Department, both face charges for endangering a minor by causing imminent bodily harm. The accident involved a Dodge Durango and a tractor-trailer. During the impact, a minor was ejected from the vehicle, authorities reported. It is worth noting that after the crash, the driver of the tractor-trailer was charged with allegedly leaving the scene before authorities arrived. Fidencio Luna Ramírez now faces charges for collision with serious bodily injury, failure to provide information, and leaving the scene of the incident. However, this account was questioned by the driver's wife during an interview with Telemundo 40. Additionally, authorities noted that several minors were traveling without proper safety measures. The investigation found that some occupants were not using seat belts correctly, several children were sharing a seat belt, and a child safety seat was not properly installed. So far, authorities have not provided additional details about the condition of the minor or what circumstances led to the charges against Dávila and Rodríguez. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with additional information about the case to come forward.
Public SafetyMcAllen PD Needs Your Help to Identify Suspect in Bicentennial Trail Indecent Assault
The McAllen Police Department is seeking assistance from the public to identify a suspect involved in an indecent assault that occurred on June 23, 2026, at the Bicentennial Hike and Bike Trail. A female jogger reported that an unknown man approached her from behind, grabbed her, and fled on foot. Surveillance footage captured an image of the suspect, described as a light-complexioned male, approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing around 150 pounds, with medium-length dark hair. He was last seen wearing a red or maroon shirt, dark shorts, and dark shoes. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact McAllen Crime Stoppers at (956) 687-TIPS (8477).
Public SafetyTeen suspect wanted in McAllen armed robbery case arrested, property recovered: Police
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A teen suspect wanted in connection with an aggravated robbery investigation in McAllen was arrested on Monday, according to the McAllen Police Department. Francisco Santana Jr.,17, of Pharr, was charged with aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony, on Tuesday at the McAllen Municipal Court. Personal property in the case was recovered, police said.
Public SafetyFollowing flooding, Weslaco discusses drainage project statuses, next steps
WESLACO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Following significant flooding during last week's storm, the Weslaco City Commission called a workshop meeting to discuss the status of the area's drainage projects. Flooding has been a recurring issue in several areas of the city, leaving some residents frustrated and wanting answers about why the same areas always experience floods
Public SafetyInvestigation Underway After Serious Injury Accident in Palmview
The accident occurred this Wednesday around 7:00 AM at the intersection of Goodwin and Roque Salinas streets. Officers from the Palmview Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers were on the scene conducting investigations and processing the area. The city spokesperson confirmed that the operation was related to a vehicle accident in which one person was seriously injured. So far, authorities have not released additional information about the victim's identity or the circumstances that led to the crash.
Public SafetyFamily Sues Tesla After Fatal Accident While Car Was in Autopilot
HOUSTON – The family of a woman who died when a Tesla in automated assistance mode crashed into her home in the Houston area has filed a lawsuit against Tesla and the driver, attorneys reported on Tuesday. Additionally, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced that it, along with investigators from the Harris County Sheriff's Office (the largest in the Houston area), has opened a safety investigation. The lawsuit, filed by Jennifer Barbour, daughter of 76-year-old Martha Avila, and her husband, Justin Barbour, in Harris County District Court, alleges a "design defect" related to Tesla and a lack of warning. It also claims negligence on the part of both Tesla and the driver, Michael Butler. Avila was at her home in Katy, a suburb west of Houston, around 8 p.m. on Friday when a Tesla Model 3 crashed into her brick house, according to authorities. Avila was airlifted to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead, the Harris County Sheriff's Office reported. According to the sheriff's office, Butler "stated that he had activated an automated driving assistance system at the time of the crash." The office indicated that Butler showed no signs of intoxication and cooperated with authorities. Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday night. Musk responded on Monday night on X to a news story about the crash. "FSD drives slowly on residential streets, and this was a high-speed crash!" he wrote, referring to the vehicle's Full Self-Driving mode. Tesla first launched "Autopilot" and later "Full Self-Driving" as features in its vehicles. The company states on its website that both are "intended for use with a fully attentive driver, hands on the wheel and ready to take control at any moment." Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla's vice president of AI software, defended the vehicle's systems on Monday. "In this case, the driver manually overridden the autonomous driving by pressing the accelerator to 100% of the pedal in this residential area," Elluswamy wrote on X, which is owned by Musk. The lawsuit, a copy of which the Avila family's attorneys provided to NBC News and Telemundo Houston, alleges that the Tesla was in "Autopilot" mode and that the system has "a known history of danger." The lawsuit cites a 2023 analysis by The Washington Post on government data that "identified at least 17 fatal incidents linked to Tesla's Autopilot." "The actions and omissions of the defendant Butler were performed with reckless disregard for a substantial risk of serious bodily injury," the lawsuit alleges. It was not immediately clear if Butler had an attorney who could speak on his behalf, and attempts to contact him on Tuesday night were unsuccessful. According to the sheriff's office, the Tesla "entered through the brick home at high speed" when it fatally injured Avila around 8:03 p.m. The lawsuit states that Avila was standing in the front room of her house when the Tesla crashed through the wall, "causing her to become trapped in the debris." A doorbell camera captured the sedan speeding into the building. No criminal charges have been filed at this time, and the crash is under investigation by county authorities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported on Monday that it will initiate a special investigation into the crash. The Barbours expressed gratitude on Tuesday to the first responders in a statement released by their attorneys. "Their quick response, professionalism, and kindness have been a significant reason we have been able to cope with this unimaginable situation," they said in part. "Thank you for all you do to help families like ours in the most difficult moments of our lives." The lawsuit seeks more than $1 million in damages.
Public SafetyLocal Public Works and Service Crews Complete Critical Disaster Response Course
The City of McAllen recently hosted a two-day Disaster Management course organized by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) at the Emergency Operations Center. This training, part of the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium, brought together public works professionals, emergency management staff, and first responders to enhance decision-making and operational readiness. Participants engaged in practical exercises focusing on hazard assessment, resource management, and emergency planning. City Manager Isaac J. Tawil emphasized the importance of this training in maintaining McAllen's preparedness for emergencies and ensuring the protection of critical infrastructure and essential services.
Public SafetyBoy Falls 50 Feet After Getting Off a Disneyland Ride Early
A 13-year-old boy was not seriously injured after getting off a moving ride at Disneyland and falling down a 50-foot waterfall, according to park officials and a cellphone video. The incident occurred on Sunday at the Tiana's Bayou Adventure ride at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, about 40 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. A cellphone video first obtained by TMZ and verified by NBC News shows the boy tumbling and sliding down the waterfall just behind a ride vehicle filled with park visitors. Paul, a park visitor who asked to be identified only by his first name, said he was near the ride when he heard a witness scream and turned to check on his grandson. Paul said his grandson told him he saw the boy fall down the ride's drop 'like a rag doll.' Paul took a photo showing people at the end of the ride looking toward the waterfall after the incident. Disneyland officials said a staff member immediately stopped the ride. They indicated that the boy was taken to a hospital as a precaution and was later released. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, which regulates, inspects, and permits amusement park rides, investigated the incident and 'found no operational issues,' spokesperson Katherine Wzorek said in an email on Tuesday. Disneyland officials reported that the ride resumed operations on Tuesday.