Public Safety
Public Safety news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
Public SafetyTwo ejected from vehicle in Alamo hit-and-run: Police
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- A portion of the westbound lanes of Expressway 83 in Alamo will be shut down temporarily as authorities investigate a hit-and-run crash. The crash occurred Friday evening near the westbound exit ramp to Alamo Road. A spokesperson with Alamo Police Department said that two people were ejected from a vehicle. The
Public SafetySheriff: Drug raid leads to discovery of severely malnourished dogs
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Investigators found two malnourished dogs after a drug raid at a Brownsville home, according to a news release from the Cameron County Sheriff's Office. Julio Cesar Lara, 38, was charged with manufacture or delivery of controlled substance PG-2, manufacture or delivery of controlled substance PG-3 and two counts of cruelty to animals.
Public SafetyEdinburg police searching for burglary suspects
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Edinburg Police Department is searching for two suspects accused of burglarizing cars in a neighborhood on Friday morning. Police say at about 4:30 a.m., two male suspects targeted unlocked vehicles on the 5000 block of August Court. They drove away in a small, dark-colored SUV, possibly a Nissan Rogue. The
Public SafetyJudge orders alleged ‘port runner’ held without bond in ammunition smuggling case
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man accused of smuggling ammunition across the border was held without bond last week. Esteban Padron Jr. allegedly sped across an international bridge to stop U.S. Customs and Border Protection from searching his truck. “The government believes that particular truck was loaded with ammunition at the time that it ran
Public SafetyNearly 1,700 Guests Evacuated Due to Fire at Hotel in Dominican Republic
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Emergency authorities in the Dominican Republic had to evacuate nearly 1,700 guests on Friday after a fire broke out at a hotel in a tourist city on the eastern side of the Caribbean nation, official reports stated. The Emergency Operations Center (COE) said in a statement that the incident occurred at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach hotel in Bayahibe, La Altagracia province. Firefighters and emergency teams have been addressing the situation since early morning, it indicated. 'The causes of the fire remain under investigation, and the appropriate technical commission will be responsible for determining them once emergency and assessment operations at the site are concluded,' the statement noted. The COE did not immediately report any injuries or fatalities due to the fire. 'As part of the actions to protect the life and safety of individuals, approximately 1,690 guests from the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach hotel were evacuated and have been relocated to nearby hotels and other facilities set up to ensure their well-being,' it stated.
Public SafetyOne person dies and 89 are injured in train collision north of London
Emergency services responded on Friday to the scene of a collision between two trains north of London, resulting in at least one death and dozens of injuries. A passenger reported being thrown forward by the impact and then saw other travelers with broken bones and bleeding wounds. Both trains were traveling south towards St. Pancras station in central London when they collided on the outskirts of Bedford around 5:15 p.m., according to information from railway tracking websites. Emergency services deployed several resources to the scene, including an air ambulance and a hazardous incident team. 'We know that several people have been injured and that unfortunately one person has died,' the police said in a statement. 'A major incident has been declared, and officers continue to respond to the scene along with colleagues from Bedfordshire Police and local fire, rescue, and ambulance services.' The East of England Ambulance Service later reported that 11 people had very serious injuries, 22 had serious injuries, and 56 had minor injuries.
Public SafetyEdinburg firefighters save cat stuck in dog food can
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An Edinburg deputy fire chief, along with the Edinburg firefighters, saved a kitten from what could've been a cat-astrophe. Photos shared by the Edinburg Fire Department show a stray calico kitten with their head stuck in a can of H-E-B-brand wet dog food. According to the fire department, Deputy Chief Anthony Riojas
Public SafetySuspects Sought in Vehicle Thefts in Edinburg Neighborhood
The investigation indicates that the incidents occurred around 4:30 a.m. on Friday in the 5000 block of August Court. According to the Edinburg Police Department, the suspects were seen checking vehicles that were uninsured and allegedly stole belongings from some of them. They then fled the scene in a dark-colored SUV, possibly a Nissan Rogue, police reported. The suspects have not yet been identified, and the investigation remains active. Authorities are asking anyone who recognizes them to contact the Edinburg Police Department at 956-289-7700 or Edinburg Crime Stoppers at 956-383-TIPS (8477).
Public SafetyDrug Operation Also Helps Rescue Malnourished Dogs in Brownsville
The suspect has been identified as 38-year-old Julio César Lara, who was arrested following the execution of a search warrant on June 18 at a residence in the 2300 block of El Portal Street in Brownsville. According to the Cameron County Sheriff's Office, two dogs were found outside the home without access to food or water and showed signs of severe malnutrition. The dogs were turned over to Brownsville Animal Control for care. Additionally, investigators seized: 241 Xanax pills weighing approximately 63 grams, and 43 vape pens containing THC oil, equivalent to about 86 grams. Lara faces charges for manufacturing or delivering a controlled substance in Penalty Group 2, manufacturing or delivering a controlled substance in Penalty Group 3, and two counts of animal cruelty.
Public SafetyWoman Accused of Fatally Hitting Her Partner; Her Two Children Were in the Car, According to Police
HOUSTON – A woman of Honduran descent is accused of causing the death of her partner by fatally hitting him and then dragging him with her vehicle, while her two children, aged 4 and 9, who she had with him, witnessed the tragic incident. The woman has been identified as Martha Alicia Oliva Padilla, who faces a charge of homicide in Harris County, in addition to fleeing the fatal scene. According to court documents, the accused was arrested on June 18, 2026, after authorities found probable cause in the death of Luis Adrián Zepeda López.
Public SafetyDonna Issues Alert About Phone Scam Impersonating the City Government
Several residents have reported receiving messages from unknown numbers, including +1 (844) 314-0498, falsely claiming that the city has approved or negotiated new municipal life insurance rates, according to the city. The municipal administration clarified that this is a phishing scam designed to illegally obtain personal and financial information. In light of this situation, authorities recommend that residents: do not respond to the messages, do not open links included in the texts, do not provide personal or financial information, report the message as spam, and block the sender.
Public SafetyNearly 20 Years in Prison for Federal Case Against Man Living in Rio Grande City
Víctor Manuel Gaytán, a 27-year-old Mexican citizen and illegal resident of Hidalgo County, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute three kilograms of methamphetamine. According to court documents, the case dates back to November 4, 2025, when agents attempted to stop a Chevrolet Impala driven by Gaytán. The man initially appeared to stop but then accelerated, leading to a vehicle chase. During the pursuit, authorities noted that agents observed a bag being thrown out of the passenger side window. Gaytán later stopped the vehicle and surrendered to authorities. In his guilty plea on April 2, Gaytán admitted to possessing the drug and attempting to dispose of it before being arrested. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas, he received a sentence of 235 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
Public SafetyTexas Rangers Cold Case Unit Expands Statewide
The Texas Department of Public Safety has announced the statewide expansion of the Texas Rangers’ Unsolved Crimes Investigation Program, which focuses on cold case murders and sexual assaults. This initiative, supported by Senate Bill 1, increases the program's personnel to 17 Rangers and three support staff, doubling its size. Each of the six Texas Ranger companies will now have an additional Ranger dedicated to cold cases. The program has resolved over 300 cases, including 156 sexual assaults since the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative began in 2020. The Rangers also assist in advanced DNA testing to solve these cases.
Public SafetyWhat Happened to Missing Hispanic Man in 2024: Suspect Charged with Murder
Authorities have arrested a man in connection with the disappearance and death of Jorge Garza Perales, who was last seen in August 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. According to officials, one of the suspects has been identified as Yesid O. Villabona Leon, after investigators pieced together the events through forensic evidence, surveillance videos, and the testimony of the accused. Court documents reveal that the case dates back to August 21, 2024, when Jorge Garza Perales was last seen at his residence. Days later, his mother reported him missing, noting that he was someone who maintained daily contact with his family. Authorities discovered that prior to his disappearance, Garza Perales was living with two roommates. However, when the case was reported, these roommates' rooms had already been emptied, and his vehicle was also missing. The investigation progressed with the tracking of the victim's cell phone, which showed a route from San Antonio heading south on the night of August 21, passing through areas of Atascosa County. Surveillance videos captured two vehicles traveling together: one dark and another matching the description of the victim's car. At a gas station, cameras recorded drivers making purchases and refueling before leaving again in the same direction. Months later, on November 21, 2024, Garza Perales' car was found abandoned in a parking lot in downtown San Antonio. During the inspection, authorities found evidence of blood inside, including on the seats and console. Cleaning products and a bottle of bleach were also located in the vehicle, which, according to the investigation, could indicate attempts to alter the scene. Key witness statements emerged during the investigation from an anonymous witness who indicated that one of the victim's roommates, later identified as Marlon Roney Vasquez-García, had confessed to the crime. Records show that Vasquez-García left the country shortly after the incident, allegedly heading to Honduras. The court document states that Villabona Leon was arrested on December 13, 2024, in North Carolina. After being transferred to Texas, he provided a statement to authorities claiming that during a confrontation, Vasquez-García placed the victim in a chokehold that ultimately caused his death. According to his account, both transported the body in the victim's vehicle to a rural area near Atascosa and Live Oak counties, where they abandoned it. In March 2025, search teams located human remains on a ranch in Live Oak County. Among the findings were a human skull and clothing matching the victim's description. Subsequently, Villabona Leon led authorities to the site and confirmed it was where the body had been left. Villabona Leon faces a murder charge, while investigations related to the case continue. As for the second suspect, court documents indicate he left the country for Honduras days after the crime, and his current whereabouts are not detailed.
Public SafetyHarlingen Issues Alert About Email Fraud Posing as Official Communications
The city warns that emails may appear to be official and request personal information, documents, or even payments related to permits, development projects, inspections, zoning issues, or municipal fees. Therefore, residents and business owners are urged to exercise caution. They also asked anyone receiving suspicious messages to immediately contact the city's Planning and Development Department. At the same time, they reminded the public not to make payments based on instructions received via email. Currently, the city is monitoring the situation following reports of this type of fraud.
Public SafetyAuthorities Seek to Identify Suspect in Harlingen Store Theft
Authorities in Harlingen are seeking public assistance to identify a woman suspected of theft at the Academy store. Surveillance images from the incident have been released as part of the investigation. The Area Crime Stoppers organization encourages anyone with information to report it anonymously by calling 956-425-TIPS (8477), visiting the website 425TIPS.com, or using the P3 Tips mobile app.
Public SafetyFBI Captures Man in Mexico Accused of Killing His Wife After Their Wedding
The FBI has captured Arnoldo Jiménez in Mexico, a fugitive wanted for the murder of his wife, Estrella Carrera, just 48 hours after their wedding in 2012. Jiménez allegedly stabbed Carrera during an argument in their Maserati. Following the murder, he reportedly left her body in the bathtub of their Burbank, Illinois apartment. The FBI increased the reward for his capture from $100,000 to $250,000 in May 2023. Jiménez faces aggravated murder charges in Cook County, Illinois, and federal charges for fleeing to avoid prosecution. He had been on the FBI's Most Wanted list since 2012.
Public SafetyArrested in Raymondville for Alleged Drug Possession Hidden in Vehicle
Eric Hilario Figueroa, a 46-year-old man, was arrested in Raymondville for allegedly possessing hidden drugs in his vehicle. The incident occurred on June 17 during a traffic stop on Business 77, south of FM 490, where deputies from the Willacy County Sheriff's Office obtained consent to search the car. They discovered approximately 24.6 grams of crack cocaine and 41.2 grams of methamphetamine concealed in a compartment. Figueroa faces multiple charges, including two counts of manufacturing or delivering a controlled substance, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, and one count each of drug paraphernalia possession and possession of a dangerous drug. The investigation is ongoing.
Public Safety19-year-old man accused of fatally shooting his parents and grandmother in their Alton home
A 19-year-old man from Alton, Gaurav Chopra, has been arrested and charged with the murders of his parents and grandmother. The incident occurred at their home on Roosevelt Avenue, where two victims were found dead, and a third died later in the hospital. All three suffered fatal gunshot wounds to the head. Chopra is facing capital murder charges and attempted murder, with no bond set for the murder charges. He also faces a charge of evading arrest, with a bond of $250,000. Authorities reported that Chopra shot at his brother but missed, and a handgun was recovered at the crash site after a police chase.