Public Safety
Public Safety news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
Public SafetyConstruction Building in Manhattan Evacuated After Brick Fall
A construction site in Manhattan was evacuated Tuesday morning after structural support beams on the 21st floor buckled, leading to street closures and a significant emergency response. The New York Fire Department (FDNY) received reports of falling bricks from the building at 235 East 42nd Street, which is being converted into a luxury rental complex with 1,500 units. No injuries were reported, but workers on the 21st floor observed the columns starting to give way. As a precaution, at least nine nearby buildings were also evacuated. Investigations by the Department of Buildings and NYPD are ongoing.
Public SafetyJudge denies bail for Alton triple murder suspect, dashcam footage of arrest shown during hearing
A judge has denied bail for Gaurav Chopra, the suspect in the triple murder of his parents and grandmother in Alton. During a bond hearing, his attorneys claimed he was being detained without probable cause and requested a reasonable bail. The judge rejected this, citing Chopra as a potential flight risk due to the $12,666 found during his arrest. Testimony from police indicated a high-speed chase ensued after a traffic stop attempt. Dashcam footage showed the suspect's vehicle crashing into another car, resulting in hospitalization. The defense argued there was no evidence linking Chopra to the murders, but the judge maintained the denial of bail.
Public SafetyFormer Afghan ally who died in ICE custody in Texas suffered an allergic reaction, death certificate says
Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal, a 41-year-old Afghan national who fought alongside U.S. forces, died in ICE custody on March 14 due to an allergic reaction, as stated in his death certificate. Detained for deportation the day before, Paktiawal experienced anaphylaxis triggered by an unidentified substance, worsening his asthma. His death has sparked outrage, with calls for the release of his autopsy report, which Texas authorities are withholding, citing an ongoing criminal investigation. Paktiawal had entered the U.S. legally and was awaiting asylum when he was arrested in Richardson, Texas, over charges he had not been convicted of.
Public SafetyDriver injured in Brownsville crash dies
A driver involved in a crash on June 27 in Brownsville has died from his injuries, according to the Brownsville Police Department. The deceased, identified as Abel Barrientos, was hospitalized with severe injuries following the collision at the intersection of Padre Island Highway and Ruben Torres Boulevard. First responders found Barrientos unconscious at the scene. A child in the other vehicle sustained minor injuries, and the other vehicle remained at the location after the incident. No further details have been released by the police regarding the crash.
Public SafetyMan charged with stealing cattle from Starr County ranch to sell at auction
Arthur Frederick Flores has been charged with stealing cattle from a ranch in Starr County to sell at an auction in Hidalgo County. According to an affidavit, Flores was arrested on two counts of cattle theft after a witness reported unauthorized individuals on horseback and ATVs at the ranch. The investigation revealed that Flores hired Augustine Becerra to capture stray cattle, leading to the theft of three bulls, one of which died at the sale barn. In total, 11 head of cattle were sold for over $15,000. Flores is no longer listed as an inmate in the Starr County jail.
Public SafetyCity of McAllen reports crime rate down by 21%
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The City of McAllen is reporting that it "recorded its lowest crime levels in four decades," according to the latest crime data from city officials. In a newly released Texas Department of Public Safety Uniform Crime Report, data shows a 20.4% decrease in crime volume in McAllen in 2025 in comparison to
Public SafetyDriver of SUV dies week after crashing into pole
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A driver involved in a two-vehicle crash that caused his SUV to hit a pole died on Sunday, according to an update from the Brownsville Police Department. Abel Barrientos Jr., 26, died at the hospital on Sunday, a spokesperson with the Brownsville Police Department told ValleyCentral. At approximately 9:45 p.m. on June
Public SafetyJudge denies bail for Alton man acussed of killing family
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A 19-year-old man being held without bond after being charged with capital murder of multiple persons and attempt to commit capital murder in connection with a June 16 Alton shooting appeared for a hearing on Monday morning. Gaurav Chopra, 19, of Alton, is accused of shooting and killing his father, mother and
Public SafetyMan Who Beat His 12-Year-Old Son to Death Receives Sentence
A Branford, Connecticut man who beat his 12-year-old son to death with a baseball bat and attempted to kill his teenage daughter was sentenced on Monday to 60 years in prison. Anthony Esposito Jr. was taken into custody on May 1, 2025, shortly after police found his son, Anthony P. Esposito, dead inside the family condominium on Hemlock Road. Prosecutors stated that the man admitted to killing his son because he was being disrespectful. Officers found the boy lying in the basement with severe injuries after being repeatedly struck with a baseball bat. A paramedic pronounced him dead at the scene. After killing him, Esposito Jr. left the condominium and went to the town center to pick up his 16-year-old daughter. He attempted to murder his daughter, but she managed to escape. After they returned home, the daughter asked where her brother was, and he told her that the boy was downstairs in the basement. According to prosecutors, he followed her to the stairs and pushed her down to where her brother's body was. Esposito Jr. said that if he had been able to reach the bat, he would have killed his daughter as well. She was able to escape from the basement. In April, he pleaded guilty to murder and attempted murder. On Monday, a judge sentenced Esposito Jr. to 40 years for the murder of his son and an additional 20 years for the attempted murder of his daughter, to be served consecutively, resulting in a total effective sentence of 60 years. During the sentencing hearing, the judge stated it was 'one of the worst cases the court has seen.'
Public SafetyFire officials: 10 vehicles on fire in Edinburg junkyard
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Approximately 10 vehicles are reported to be on fire at a junkyard in Edinburg, according to city officials. At approximately 1:30 p.m., the dispatch received a call about a fire at a junkyard on the 7300 block of East Owassa Road in Edinburg. According to city officials, occupants were working on a
Public SafetyNorth Texas Child Predator Named July’s Featured Fugitive
Alejandro Villegas, a 32-year-old sex offender from Fort Worth, has been named July's Featured Fugitive by Texas 10 Most Wanted. He is wanted for a probation violation linked to a child sexual assault charge and has an outstanding warrant for failing to register as a sex offender. In 2017, he was arrested for robbery and received probation. In 2022, he was convicted of sexual assault against a 16-year-old girl. A reward of $6,000 is offered for information leading to his arrest this month. Tips can be submitted anonymously via the Crime Stoppers hotline or online.
Public SafetyBurglary at UTRGV Stadium under investigation, suspects still at large
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The University of Texas Rio Grande Police Department is investigating a burglary that occurred at the UTRGV Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium in Edinburg after the Fourth of July, police announced Monday. According to UTRGV police, two male juveniles were detained and charged. Four other males escaped at the scene. On Sunday
Public Safety15-year-old hospitalized after consuming alcohol, McAllen couple charged
A 15-year-old girl was hospitalized after consuming alcohol on July 4 in McAllen. Police arrested 43-year-old Jeanett Garza and 44-year-old Jose Garza for providing alcohol to minors. Officers responded to a call from the 4100 block of Colbath Avenue at 9:56 p.m., where they found the girl unconscious and vomiting. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The couple was charged with two counts of furnishing alcohol to a minor, with a bond set at $2,000 each. Another 15-year-old girl received a citation and was released to a responsible adult. The investigation is ongoing.
Public SafetyThey are met with explosives: 10 suspected criminals and a sailor die in Sinaloa
MEXICO CITY – Mexico's federal Security Cabinet confirmed on Monday that at least ten suspected criminals and one sailor died following two consecutive armed confrontations on Sunday in the Sinaloan municipalities of Mazatlán and El Rosario, in the northwest of the country. In a statement, the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) reported that the first attack occurred in the community of San Marcos, Mazatlán, while naval personnel were conducting surveys and monitoring rivers and dams as part of preventive measures to identify potential sudden increases in water levels and to alert the population in a timely manner during the rainy season. During these climate prevention efforts, the sailors were attacked with improvised explosive devices by alleged members of a criminal group, resulting in three members of the navy being injured and one dying while receiving emergency medical attention due to the severity of the injuries sustained. According to the official report presented at the presidential conference, two of the injured are now out of danger, while the third remains in serious condition but is receiving appropriate medical care. In immediate response, personnel from the Secretary of the Navy (Semar), in coordination with the SSPC, reinforced security in the region and, after repelling a second attack in the municipality of El Rosario, killed ten of the alleged attackers on site. In this second tactical deployment, federal forces arrested three men linked to the criminal organization, seizing a cache of firearms, ammunition, and tactical equipment, which were handed over to the competent authorities for the investigation.
Public SafetyBail Denied Again for Gaurav Chopra, Accused of Triple Homicide in Alton
Edinburg, TX – For the second time, a judge denied the bail request submitted by the defense of Gaurav Chopra, the 19-year-old accused of fatally shooting his parents and grandmother in Alton. During Monday's hearing, the defense attorneys argued that their client remains detained without probable cause and claimed that the prosecution has not presented evidence directly linking him to the triple homicide. Based on this, they requested the judge to grant a reasonable bail or, alternatively, allow him to remain under house arrest while the judicial process continues. However, the judge again rejected the request, considering that Chopra poses a flight risk, and he will remain in custody. As part of the hearing, the prosecution presented testimony from Sergeant Zamora of the Alton Police Department, who described the chase that occurred after the shooting. He explained that the accused ignored orders to stop and fled at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour until he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a utility pole and another car. The driver of that second vehicle was hospitalized as a result of the impact. Additionally, a crime scene processing specialist from Hidalgo County testified that during the inspection of the Lexus driven by Chopra, authorities found a firearm and $12,666 in cash. The judge noted that both the alleged flight from authorities and the amount of money found inside the vehicle were determining factors in denying bail once again. Although the defense still has the option to appeal the decision, Gaurav Chopra will remain in jail while the judicial process for the triple homicide case in Alton continues.
Public SafetyMcAllen Hits 40-Year Low in Crime After 21.4% Drop
McAllen, Texas, has achieved its lowest crime levels in 40 years, with a 21.4% drop in the crime rate for 2025 compared to 2024, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety's Uniform Crime Reporting data. The overall crime volume decreased by 20.4%, reflecting effective collaboration between law enforcement and the community. Notable reductions include a 75% decrease in murder and a 56% drop in auto theft. City officials, including Police Chief Victor Rodriguez and Mayor Javier Villalobos, credited the community's commitment to safety and the hard work of the police department for these significant improvements.
Public Safety2 adults charged after teen who drank 'directly from bottles' prompts 911 call
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A 911 call regarding minors consuming alcohol resulted in the arrest of a man and woman on July 4, according to the McAllen Police Department. Jeanett Garza, 43, and Jose Garza, 44, were each charged with two counts of furnishing alcohol to a minor, a class A misdemeanor, according to a news
Public SafetySinger of Regional Mexican Music Shot Dead in Sinaloa
José Adán Rodríguez, known as Adán R. and a former member of the group Los Nuevos Rebeldes, was shot dead in Culiacán, Sinaloa (northwest Mexico), Mexican media reported on Monday. The attack occurred on Sunday night when armed individuals opened fire on the singer, who was in the garage of his home in the northern part of the city, according to initial reports. Rodríguez died at the scene. This homicide comes amid a violence crisis in Sinaloa that has been ongoing since September 2024, marked by clashes between rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, and adds to other attacks against regional Mexican music performers in recent years. So far, authorities have not released official information regarding the case, any arrests, or the possible motive for the crime; however, local media reported that the Sinaloa State Attorney General's Office has already begun an investigation. Rodríguez was a member of Los Nuevos Rebeldes, a regional Mexican music group, before starting a solo career in 2025 under the name Adán R. The singer performed banda music and corridos, one of the most popular styles in regional Mexican music, a genre that has been gaining prominence in both Mexico and the United States. This homicide adds to other attacks against regional Mexican music performers recorded in recent decades. Among the most notable cases are the murder of singer Valentín Elizalde in 2006 after a concert in Tamaulipas (northeast) and that of Sergio Gómez, vocalist of K-Paz de la Sierra, who was kidnapped and murdered that same year in Michoacán (west). Sinaloa also has a history of attacks against regional Mexican musicians, including an attack on norteño singer Javier Arturo Rosas in Culiacán in 2015, which left two dead and two injured, including the musician himself. Many of these artists performed narcocorridos, a subgenre of regional Mexican music whose lyrics often reference organized crime groups. The wave of violence in the state has been attributed to an internal struggle between factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, 'los Mayos' and 'los Chapitos,' following the arrest of Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada in the United States in July 2024.
Public SafetyMan Accused of Stealing and Selling Cattle in Starr County
In Starr County, Arthur Frederick Flores has been charged with illegally appropriating cattle from the Gutiérrez estate without the owners' consent. The investigation began on February 12, 2026, after estate managers reported unauthorized access to the ranch. Witnesses observed riders and vehicles on the property, and surveillance cameras captured the intrusion. A group of cowboys was allegedly hired to capture cattle that Flores claimed were his. Between October 2025 and January 2026, 11 cattle were sold at an Edinburg auction, generating over $21,000. Flores reportedly received more than $14,000 from these sales. A judge has issued an arrest warrant for him, and the investigation is ongoing regarding another individual involved in the case.