Public Safety
Public Safety news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
Public SafetyBrownsville plaza fire destroys 12 offices, leaving business owners with total loss
A fire at Wellington Plaza in Brownsville destroyed 12 offices, leading to the closure of several businesses. The blaze, reported around 9 p.m. on Monday, spread from one office to the attic, making it impossible for firefighters to contain it. Brownsville Fire Department spokesman Hector Martinez confirmed that all offices are considered a total loss. Business owner Veronica Lozano expressed her devastation, stating that her year-long effort to build her business has been lost, leaving employees without jobs and clients without services. The city fire marshal is currently investigating the fire's cause.
Public SafetyTwo people found dead in Alton home, suspect in custody following crash
Two individuals were found dead in a home in the Tuscany Village Subdivision of Alton, prompting a police investigation led by the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office. The incident began on Tuesday night when officers responded to a disturbance call. A third person was taken to the hospital. The suspect, who fled the scene, was apprehended after a police chase that ended in a crash at the intersection of 4 Mile Line Road and Glasscock Road. Alton Police Chief Mark Perez confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the public, as the scene has been secured and deemed safe.
Public SafetyCrews rush to rescue people after small plane crashes on Laredo highway
On Tuesday night, June 16, 2026, a small plane crashed on Loop 20 in Laredo, Texas, around 10 p.m. Emergency crews quickly responded to rescue passengers trapped inside as flames erupted from the aircraft. Laredo Police Department investigator Jose Baeza reported that the number of people on board and their conditions were not immediately known. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries among motorists on the highway. The Loop 20 is currently closed in both directions, and videos shared online show the plane overturned against a highway barrier, with rescuers attempting to break a cockpit window to assist those inside.
Public SafetyIt Looked Like a Movie: Small Plane Crash on Texas Highway Leaves One Dead
A private jet crashed and caught fire on Loop 20 in Laredo, Texas, on Tuesday night, resulting in at least one fatality. Six people were aboard the Cessna Citation Latitude, which had taken off from Los Cabos International Airport in Mexico earlier that evening. Witnesses reported chaos as bystanders attempted to rescue those trapped inside. While it remains unclear if the deceased was on the plane or on the ground, five first responders were hospitalized for smoke inhalation. NetJets, the aircraft's owner, is cooperating with authorities to investigate the cause of the crash.
Public SafetyTwo dead, one in custody after disturbance call in Alton
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- One person is in custody after police say two people were found dead inside a residence in Alton following a disturbance call on Tuesday night. Officers with the Alton Police Department responded to the call shortly after 9 p.m. at a residence located at the Tuscany Village Subdivision. Alton police Chief
Public SafetyPlane crashes on major highway in Laredo: Police
LAREDO, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- First responders are at the scene of a major plane crash at Texas State Highway Loop 20 in Laredo. A spokesperson with the Laredo Police Department said that at approximately 10 p.m., a small passenger plane crashed and landed on the major roadway, located on the east side of the city.
Public SafetyBorder Patrol agent accused of striking pedestrian during Harlingen immigration enforcement operation
A Border Patrol agent, Raymundo Ramos Jr., was indicted for allegedly hitting a pedestrian during an immigration enforcement operation in Harlingen. The incident occurred on January 31, 2025, when Ramos attempted to arrest an undocumented immigrant on East Filmore Avenue. According to an affidavit, the victim was walking calmly when Ramos's vehicle accelerated toward him, resulting in injuries. Surveillance footage contradicted Ramos's claim that the victim was fleeing. Ramos was arrested on June 8, 2026, and charged with aggravated assault. As of Tuesday, he was not listed as an inmate in Cameron County jail.
Public SafetyMan convicted in deadly McAllen crash sentenced to 5 years of probation
Javier Garza, a 71-year-old man from Pharr, was sentenced to five years of probation after pleading guilty to criminally negligent homicide in connection with a fatal crash that occurred on February 2, 2025. The incident resulted in the death of 92-year-old Dolores Acevedo, who was a passenger in a vehicle that collided with Garza's car after he ran a red light. As part of a plea agreement, Garza had additional charges dismissed. He is also required to complete 120 hours of community service and received eight days of jail credit for time already served.
Public SafetyBrownsville plaza fire destroys 12 offices, leaves business owners with total loss
A fire at Wellington Plaza in Brownsville destroyed 12 offices, leading to significant losses for business owners. The blaze, reported around 9 p.m. on Monday, spread from one office to the attic, making containment difficult, according to Brownsville Fire Department spokesman Hector Martinez. Business owner Veronica Lozano expressed her devastation, stating that her year-long efforts to establish her business were in vain as everything was lost. The incident also affected clients with pre-scheduled appointments, who arrived to find the plaza in ruins. The fire marshal is currently investigating the cause of the fire.
Public SafetySharyland Water Supply Corporation lifts Palmhurst boil water alert
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- A boil water alert impacting residents in Palmhurst has been lifted, the Sharyland Water Supply Corporation stated on Tuesday. The alert was first issued on Friday, affecting approximately 48 customers along Glasscock Road, Cynthia Lane and East Silverbell Street. In the alert, the Sharyland Water Supply Corporation reported the boil water
Public SafetyBail set at $2 million for Rio Grande City murder suspect
Jose Luis Falcon, a Rio Grande City resident, is facing a $2 million bail after being charged with the murder of his neighbor, Edio Estrada Jr. The incident occurred on Saturday morning at the intersection of San Benito and Avasolo streets following a dispute. Falcon claimed he was taking out the trash when he saw Estrada on his property, which led to a confrontation. He then retrieved a handgun from his home and shot Estrada multiple times before calling the police. Estrada was pronounced dead at the hospital, and Falcon remains in custody at the Starr County jail.
Public SafetyBrownsville plaza fire under investigation
A fire at Wellington Plaza in Brownsville, located off Price Road, destroyed 12 offices and forced several businesses to close. The fire, reported around 9 p.m. on Monday, was still being managed by the Brownsville Fire Department on Tuesday afternoon. Officials believe it began in one office and spread to the attic, making containment difficult. Business owner Veronica Lozano expressed her devastation, stating that her year-long effort to build her business has been lost, leaving employees without jobs and clients without services. The city fire marshal is currently investigating the cause of the fire.
Public SafetyGuatemalan Criminal Illegal Immigrant Added to Most Wanted List
The Texas Department of Public Safety has placed Franklin Estuardo Gonzalez Flores, a 34-year-old violent offender from Guatemala, on its Texas 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List. Wanted since November 5, 2025, by the New Braunfels Police for three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, Gonzalez Flores has a history of arrests for public intoxication in Comal County. Texas Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $3,000 for information leading to his capture. Tips can be submitted anonymously via phone, web, or Facebook.
Public SafetyFleeing Smugglers Who Assaulted Border Patrol Agents Handed Multi-Year Sentences
Two men have been sentenced to federal prison for smuggling illegal immigrants and assaulting federal agents. Adrian Isaac Pimentel-Garcia, a 20-year-old from Mexico, and Juan Carlos Lopez Jr., 24, from Laredo, pleaded guilty to their charges. U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana sentenced them to 36 months in prison, with Lopez also receiving three years of supervised release. The incidents occurred in December 2025 when Pimentel-Garcia attacked a Border Patrol agent while leading migrants, and Lopez led a police chase after picking up migrants. Both cases were part of Operation Take Back America, aimed at combating illegal immigration and violent crime.
Public SafetyMan with Alleged Ties to Gulf Cartel and Jalisco Cartel Arrested in Mexico
MEXICO CITY – Three people, including a woman and two men, one of whom is an alleged drug trafficker linked to the criminal group Gulf Cartel (CDG) and a former member of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), were arrested in the state of Colima, in western Mexico. In a statement issued on Tuesday, authorities indicated that the detained individual is Valdemar ‘N’, also known as Valdo, identified as a suspected member of the Gulf Cartel, considered a priority target due to his alleged involvement in activities related to international drug trafficking and various violent incidents. The individual is also accused of coordinating the trafficking of large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine and is identified as the alleged mastermind behind multiple homicides in both Mexico and the United States.
Public SafetyBail set at $100K for San Benito man arrested on child sex charge
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A judge on Monday set bail at $100,000 for a San Benito man arrested over the weekend on a child sex charge. The Cameron County Sheriff's Office issued an alert last week urging the public to be on the lookout for Jesus Estaban Escobar, who was wanted on a charge of aggravated
Public SafetyRio Grande City man called police on himself after fatally shooting neighbor: Docs
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A criminal complaint obtained by ValleyCentral details what led to a deadly neighbor dispute in Rio Grande City over the weekend. Jose Luis Falcon was charged with murder, a first-degree felony, on Monday. A judge set bail at $2 million. According to the criminal complaint, Falcon told Texas Rangers that he was
Public SafetyThousands of Dollars in Narcotics Discovered in Traffic Stop in South Texas
A joint operation between agents from the Rio Grande Valley Sector and the Brooks County Sheriff's Office led to the arrest of an alleged drug trafficker and the seizure of opioid pills valued at nearly $20,000 on the black market. The discovery occurred during a traffic stop, where a specialized canine unit alerted authorities to the possible presence of opioid pills in the vehicle. The driver was arrested and turned over to the Brooks County Sheriff's Office, where he will face state charges for felony drug-related offenses.
Public SafetyOvernight fire at Brownsville plaza under investigation
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An overnight fire at Wellington Plaza in Brownsville is under investigation, according to the Brownsville Fire Department. On Monday at approximately 9:30 p.m., fire units responded to Central Boulevard and Price Road regarding visible smoke in the area. At the scene, crews came across heavy smoke coming from the roof of