Public Safety
Public Safety news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
Public SafetyMan confesses to eight burglaries in downtown Brownsville, police say
Oscar Leonardo Urbina, a 35-year-old man, was arrested on July 17 after confessing to eight burglaries in downtown Brownsville, according to the Brownsville Police Department. He faces seven charges of burglary of a building and one charge of burglary of a habitation. Police utilized extensive surveillance footage to identify Urbina as the suspect responsible for targeting local businesses. Following his arraignment, a bond of $450,000 was set for his release.
Public SafetyTate Brothers Arrested in the U.S.; Facing New Rape Charges in the UK
Social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate were arrested on Saturday in Miami, Florida, by federal agents. This arrest is linked to new rape charges in the United Kingdom, according to British authorities. The Crown Prosecution Service in the UK confirmed that Andrew, 39, and Tristan, 38, face additional charges related to ongoing cases. Andrew Tate faces seven new rape charges, along with multiple charges for human trafficking and child pornography. Tristan Tate faces charges of sexual assault and rape. The allegations involve incidents from July 2010 to August 2017, with the brothers awaiting extradition to the UK.
Public SafetyFather and son arrested after holding two Forest Service employees at gunpoint
A father and son are facing federal kidnapping charges after they allegedly held two U.S. Forest Service employees at gunpoint in a trailer near Mount Shasta, Northern California. The employees were conducting routine operations in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest when they were captured on Thursday. They were released early Friday morning after being held for over 12 hours. The suspects, aged 49 and an adult son, surrendered with assault rifles and knives, and one claimed to have grenades. Authorities, including the FBI, were involved in the rescue operation, and thankfully, no injuries were reported during the incident.
Public SafetyBPD: Man confessed to 8 downtown Brownsville burglaries
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man was arrested in connection with a series of burglaries in the downtown Brownsville area Brownsville police say Oscar Leonardo Urbina, 35, was charged with burglary of a habitation, a second-degree felony, and seven counts of burglary of a building, a state jail felony. He was arrested just after midnight on
Public SafetyBorder buoys dislodged and floating down Rio Grande toward Laredo, Texas
At least 120 giant border buoys weighing about one ton each on Friday were floating uncontrolled down the Rio Grande from Eagle Pass, Texas, toward the South Texas border town of Laredo due to flooding in the region.
Public SafetyMcAllen man survives after 5-foot metal rod pierces his windshield on the expressway
A McAllen resident, John Montemayor, narrowly escaped injury when a 5-foot metal rod pierced his windshield while driving on the expressway near La Feria. Montemayor was traveling at 60 mph when the rod, which had already been struck by two other vehicles, came dangerously close to his face. He managed to pull over safely with only minor cuts from the shattered glass. Montemayor emphasized the importance of securing items while driving, as unsecured loads can lead to serious accidents. The Texas Department of Transportation warns that failing to secure loads can result in fines, especially if injuries occur. Montemayor plans to turn the rod into a cross as a reminder of his close call.
Public SafetyCameron County investigators using new technology on Nahomi Rodriguez case
On July 17, 2026, it will be ten years since Nahomi Rodriguez disappeared after leaving her job at a Harlingen McDonald's. Although no one has been charged, investigators from the Harlingen Police Department and Cameron County Sheriff's Office are revisiting the case using new technology. Surveillance footage from the day she vanished shows her entering a car, marking the last sighting of Rodriguez. The only person of interest, Miguel Angel Flores, is currently incarcerated until 2033. A $25,000 reward is still offered for information leading to an arrest, as authorities continue to seek answers for Rodriguez's family.
Public SafetyFormer Hidalgo County district clerk now in county jail after federal charge dropped
Omar Guerrero, the former Hidalgo County District Clerk, was transferred to county jail after a federal escape charge against him was dropped. This decision was made by a federal judge on July 17, 2026, following a motion from prosecutors citing 'the interest of justice.' Guerrero is currently facing multiple charges, including two counts of sexual assault of a child and three counts of drug possession, with no bond listed. He was previously arrested in June after 13 years on the run, having fled to Mexico shortly after being charged with drug possession and sexual assault in 2013.
Public SafetyHouston man killed in Starr County crash
A 67-year-old man from Houston lost his life in a two-vehicle accident in Starr County on Friday afternoon. The incident occurred around 1:40 p.m. on FM 755, south of FM 1017, near La Gloria. A silver Dodge Ram towing a trailer was traveling north when a gray Dodge 1500 heading south crossed into the northbound lane. The driver of the Dodge Ram attempted to avoid a collision, but the Dodge 1500 struck the trailer. The passenger in the Dodge 1500, Noelio Garza Peña, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Dodge 1500 sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was hospitalized, while the Dodge Ram driver did not require medical attention. The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating the incident.
Public Safety'It came to me as a spear': McAllen man survives bed frame crashing through windshield
PHARR, Texas (ValleyCentral) — What was supposed to be a relaxing weekend trip to South Padre Island turned into a terrifying near-death experience for a McAllen police officer after a steel bed frame flew through his windshield while traveling on the expressway. John Montemayor said he was driving about 65 mph behind a van when,
Public SafetyMan accused of sending intimate photos through dead persons's social media accounts: Police
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man was taken into custody for allegedly sending intimate photos through a deceased person's social media accounts, according to the Donna Police Department. On June 15, Jose Lara Jr. was charged with harassment, two counts of online impersonation, computer security breach and unlawful disclosure of intimate visual material. According to a
Public SafetyCBP officers arrest man wanted in Combes shooting investigation
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested a man with multiple warrants out of Combes. German Tanguma was arrested on Thursday while attempting to enter the U.S. at the Hidalgo International Port of Entry. The Combes Police Department said Tanguma was wanted for his alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred
Public SafetyBrownsville Police Arrest Suspect in Multiple Downtown Robberies
Brownsville police arrested a man linked to multiple thefts in the downtown area early on July 17, 2026. Officers from the specialized Task Force against Theft apprehended 35-year-old Oscar Leonardo Urbina around 12:14 a.m. after a thorough investigation. Urbina faces seven felony charges for commercial burglary and one charge for residential burglary, which is classified as a second-degree felony. Authorities noted that his arrest is a significant step in addressing property crimes in Brownsville's commercial and historic district, where such incidents have been on the rise. He is now in custody awaiting legal proceedings and bail assignment.
Public SafetyDPS Investigates Fatal Crash in Starr County
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is investigating a fatal accident that occurred on Friday, July 17, 2026, in Starr County. The crash involved two pickup trucks on FM 755, south of FM 1017, around 1:40 p.m. A silver Dodge Ram towing a trailer was traveling north when a gray Dodge 1500, carrying a driver and a passenger, veered into oncoming traffic. The driver of the Ram swerved to avoid a head-on collision but could not prevent the gray truck from hitting the trailer. The passenger, 67-year-old Noelio Garza Peña from Houston, died at the scene. The driver of the gray truck was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, while the driver of the Ram was unharmed. DPS officials are continuing their investigation.
Public SafetyMultiple agencies respond to house fires in Starr County
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- First responders from Starr and Hidalgo Counties are working to put out a fire that broke out in a community near Rio Grande City. The Starr County Sheriff's Office reported that the fire broke out on San Eulogio Street. Rio Grande City Fire Chief Manuel S. Muniz told ValleyCentral that the
Public SafetyTexas AG Issues Warning Against Flood-Related Scams and Price Gouging
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has issued a warning to residents about potential scams and price gouging related to recent flooding in the state. He emphasized the importance of vigilance against fraudulent charities and illegal price increases during declared disasters. Paxton stated that it is unlawful for businesses or individuals to raise prices unreasonably during such times. He encourages anyone who suspects scams or price gouging to report them via his office's toll-free complaint line at (800) 621-0508. Additionally, he advised residents to verify charities before donating and to protect their personal information.
Public SafetyMajor vehicle crash closes road near La Gloria
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Starr County Sheriff's Office is on the scene of a major vehicle crash on North FM 755 by FM 1017 in La Gloria. According to a news release from the Texas Department of Transportation, FM 755 is currently closed between FM 2294 and FM 1017. Northbound traffic on FM 755 is
Public SafetyThe Death of Nahomi Rodríguez Remains a Mystery 10 Years After Disappearance
Nahomi Rodríguez, a 19-year-old from San Benito, mysteriously disappeared on this day in 2016 after leaving work. Months later, her remains were discovered in Río Hondo, Texas. Nine years later, Harlingen police are still investigating the case and urge the community to provide any information that could help solve it. On the day she vanished, security cameras captured her at a fast-food restaurant, where she was seen getting into a gray Ford Escape. Her last communication was a call to her mother, saying someone would take her home. Her identity was confirmed through dental records after her remains were found in April 2017.
Public SafetyLaredo Resident Ordered to Prison for 11 Years in Fentanyl Distribution Case
Jorge Humberto Medrano Jr., a 24-year-old resident of Laredo, has been sentenced to 135 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Medrano, who pleaded guilty in January, was linked to the Cártel del Noreste and was found to have trafficked fentanyl mixed with xylazine, a dangerous veterinary tranquilizer. This combination increases the risk of overdose and severe injuries. The court highlighted the ongoing fentanyl crisis and Medrano's role in smuggling nearly 2,000 illegal aliens. He remains in custody pending transfer to a federal facility, as part of a broader initiative to combat organized crime.