Public Safety
Public Safety news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
Public SafetySecond arrest made in Starr County cattle theft investigation
A second suspect, Augustine Becerra, has been arrested in a cattle theft case in Starr County. He allegedly stole cattle from a ranch and sold them at auction, following instructions from Arthur Flores, who faces two counts of cattle theft. The investigation began when the Estate of Ignacia Gutierrez reported missing livestock on February 1. Witnesses saw unauthorized individuals on the property, and game camera footage confirmed the trespass. Becerra admitted to hiring others to help steal cattle, which were sold for over $15,000. He has been charged with theft and criminal trespass, while Flores has been released on bond.
Public SafetyInfluencer is killed by her husband after accusing him of pedophilia on TikTok
Sara Gilson, a 43-year-old social media influencer, was shot and killed by her estranged husband, Jeremiah Duffey, in Owasso, Oklahoma. This incident occurred less than two weeks after Gilson accused Duffey of pedophilia in a TikTok video, where she had over 30,000 followers. She had previously obtained an emergency protective order against him after he was accused of inappropriate conduct with a minor. Police responded to a domestic violence call, finding both Gilson and Duffey dead from apparent gunshot wounds. Their son is now in protective custody. The case is being investigated as a possible murder-suicide.
Public Safety2 people hospitalized after car crashes into Mission hair salon
A woman was arrested for driving while intoxicated and possession of a controlled substance after crashing her car into a hair salon in Mission. The accident happened on Friday around 11:34 a.m. in the 300 block of North Shary Road, when the driver of a black 2020 Ford Edge collided with EZ Cuts. Both the driver and a customer inside the salon were hospitalized. The police are continuing to investigate the incident.
Public SafetyValleyCentral Weekend Report: ICE crackdowns and floods across Texas
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — On this week's edition of ValleyCentral Weekend Report, Anchor Alexia Serrata breaks down all the news of the week. Starting with the biggest stories of the week, in case you missed them. To kick things off, we check in with the Starr County rancher who found the first reported case of the New World Screwworm in the Rio Grande Valley.
Public SafetyCar Plows Into Crowd, Injuring Several at LGBTQ+ March in Berlin
A van drove into a crowd during Berlin's LGBTQ+ event on Saturday, resulting in one death and at least 15 injuries, prompting police to cancel the celebrations and a concert shortly after they began. Some victims suffered life-threatening injuries, and emergency responders were on-site to assist. The incident occurred in Tiergarten park, where the van struck several people before crashing into a tree. Authorities are actively searching for suspects. The event, known as Christopher Street Day, had drawn hundreds of thousands of attendees celebrating peacefully before the tragic event unfolded, leading to the cancellation of festivities around 10:15 PM.
Public Safety13th Court of Appeals weighs in on Weslaco cheerleader wrongful death lawsuit
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The 13th Court of Appeals on Friday weighed in on the wrongful death lawsuit involving a Weslaco cheerleader. The 13th Court of Appeals sent a letter directing attorneys representing the family of Larissa Rodriguez to respond to Glazer's Beer and Beverage's mandamus and emergency motion for stay in the higher court.
Public SafetyFire Following Shooting Leaves at Least 21 Injured in Queens
A shooting and subsequent fire in Queens, New York, on July 25, 2026, left at least 21 people injured, with one in critical condition. The incident began with a shooting inside a residence, after which the suspect exited and was shot by police. Reports indicate the suspect detonated an explosive device inside the home before fleeing. The fire, classified as a five-alarm blaze, prompted a significant response from emergency services, with flames spreading to nearby buildings. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting and fire.
Public SafetyHorror in Michigan: 8 Dead in House Fire, 6 Were Minors
Authorities discovered eight deceased individuals, including six minors, in a house fire in Grand Haven Township, Michigan. Some victims had gunshot wounds, according to police. Responders arrived shortly before noon to find the bodies inside the residence. The ages of the minors ranged from 5 to 15 years. Captain Jacob Sparks from the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department stated that the cause of death is still undetermined, and investigators are considering a potential murder-suicide scenario. The fire is deemed suspicious, and arson investigators from the Michigan State Police are involved in the case.
Public SafetyMercedes man accused in fentanyl overdose death indicted on federal charges
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Mercedes man accused of selling narcotics to a man who died of a fentanyl overdose has been indicted on federal charges. Bryan Alexis Cedillo, 28, of Mercedes, made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Juan F. Alanis on Friday morning. Cedillo is accused of knowingly and intentionally distributing a
Public SafetyMissing 74-year-old man found dead near home in Combes
Jose Jesus Lara, a 74-year-old man from Combes, was found dead near his home after being reported missing. He was last seen on July 22 at a Stripes convenience store. Concerned family members contacted the police when they lost contact with him. Following an investigation, Combes police received new information that prompted a follow-up search near Lara's residence on Woodrow Street. The search was expanded with the help of drones from the Cameron County Precinct 5 Constable's Office, leading to the discovery of his body in a concealed area that had previously gone unnoticed.
Public SafetyEdinburg suspect charged in stabbing incident that led to brief standoff
Noe Garza, a 27-year-old man, has been charged with aggravated assault with a weapon against a family member following a brief standoff with law enforcement in rural Edinburg. The incident occurred on July 23 in the 10500 block of Hernandez Drive, where Garza allegedly stabbed a woman during a domestic dispute. The victim was taken to a local hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. Authorities arrested Garza after he barricaded himself inside a home. His bond has been set at $5,000, and he remains in custody, according to Hidalgo County jail records.
Public SafetyThird arrest made in connection to deadly San Juan shooting at H-E-B parking lot
The San Juan Police Department has made a third arrest related to a fatal shooting at an H-E-B parking lot on July 16. Ivory Ruiz was apprehended on July 23 and faces charges for hindering apprehension, three counts of assault on a peace officer, and resisting arrest. Her bond is set at $70,000. Previously, two suspects, Michael Anthony Lopez, 18, and Juan Samuel Olguin, 19, were arrested and charged with murder in connection to the incident, which is believed to have stemmed from a drug deal gone wrong, resulting in the death of 40-year-old Hervey Marin De Leon.
Public SafetyHSI agents conduct enforcement operation in San Juan neighborhood
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents from the McAllen office are conducting an enforcement operation in the San Juan neighborhood as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. The operation, taking place on Noble Drive, involves collaboration with the San Juan Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Law enforcement officers in tactical gear were observed entering a residence, and one individual was taken into custody. An HSI spokesperson indicated that no further details are available at this moment.
Public SafetyMan charged in connection with stabbing in rural Edinburg: Sheriff
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A 27-year-old man accused of barricading himself after allegedly stabbing a woman during a family dispute appeared in front of a judge on Friday, according to an update from the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office. Noe Garza, 27, was charged with aggravated assault with a weapon on family, a first-degree felony, Hidalgo County
Public SafetyIt was salt: substances found in Lorenzo Salgado case confirmed not to be drugs
HOUSTON – Toxicology tests conducted on the substances found in Lorenzo Salgado Araujo's truck returned negative for narcotics and illegal drugs, according to Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare. In a statement, Teare indicated that he would not make further comments as the investigation is ongoing. Victor Salgado Araujo's attorney, Lorenzo's brother, stated that the test results only confirm what the family has maintained from the beginning and urged that the focus remains on seeking justice and the release of witnesses so they can assist with the investigation. Following the announcement of the results, community representatives also reacted. State Representative Christina Morales expressed that she was not surprised by the outcome and asserted that the substances were salt used for heat. Meanwhile, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) pointed out that the results support what the family has said from the start: that Lorenzo Salgado was a hardworking man. Protests continued on Thursday at Hidalgo Park in Houston's East End, where residents and community leaders reiterated their demands for justice for Lorenzo Salgado and expressed concern about the impact the case has had on the immigrant community.
Public SafetyThird person arrested in connection with deadly shooting at San Juan H-E-B
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — San Juan police have arrested a third person in connection with a deadly shooting at an H-E-B parking lot in San Juan. Police arrested Ivory Ruiz, 24, on Thursday. Ruiz faces the following charges: Two men — 18-year-old Michael Anthony Lopez and 19-year-old Juan Samuel Olguín — were arrested on murder
Public SafetySUV crashes into Mission barbershop, two people taken to hospital
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An SUV crashed into an EZ Hair Cuts barber shop in Mission on Friday, photos taken by the Mission Fire Department show. Mission Fire Chief Mike Silva told ValleyCentral that crews responded to a vehicle crashing into a building on Friday at a plaza located at the 300 block of North Shary
Public SafetyMissing 74-year-old man found dead in his home: Combes police
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A 74-year-old man who was reported missing earlier this week was found dead in his home on Friday, according to the Combes Police Department Jose Jesus Lara, 74, was last seen on Wednesday afternoon at a local Stripes store. Family members reported Lara missing on Thursday. According to an update on Friday,
Public SafetyHSI McAllen conducts enforcement operation in upper Valley
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Homeland Security Investigations McAllen is conducting an enforcement operation in the upper Valley, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson confirmed Friday afternoon. The operation is part of an ongoing criminal investigation. A spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed the agency assisted in the operation. Read HSI's entire