Public Safety
Public Safety news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
Public SafetyLIVE: APD gives update on suspects, investigation into 10 south Austin shootings
Austin police issued an emergency shelter-in-place alert for residents within a defined area in South Austin due to an ongoing law enforcement incident, authorities said.
Public Safety'Hide the drinks': McAllen couple accused of providing alcohol to minors in prom after-party: DOCS
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A McAllen couple reportedly provided alcoholic drinks to approximately 22 minors at a prom-afterparty, according to an offense report obtained by ValleyCentral. On May 10, John Michael, 60, and Tina Marie McIntyre, 55, were arrested on charges of furnishing alcohol to a minor, a Class A misdemeanor, according to the Hidalgo County
Public SafetyMan dies in single-vehicle rollover, investigation underway
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Brownsville Fire Department responded to an overnight single-vehicle rollover crash. According to a Brownsville Fire Department spokesperson, crews responded to the crash approximately 3 a.m. on Toll Road 550 and Padre Island Highway. At the scene, a 22-year-old man sustained critical injuries and was transported to a local hospital. According to
Public SafetyMcAllen armed robbery suspects accused of stealing victim Nike shoes, Coach watch
Two suspects, Andoni Garcia and Luis Armando Jasso Jr., are accused of armed robbery in McAllen after allegedly stealing Nike shoes and a Coach watch from a victim. The incident occurred on April 30 at an apartment on North McColl Road. The victim was lured to the location to retrieve a cellphone when the suspects threatened them with handguns. Garcia surrendered to police on May 15, facing aggravated robbery charges with a $100,000 bond. Jasso Jr. remains at large, described as 5'10" and 195 pounds. Police urge anyone with information to contact McAllen Crime Stoppers at 956-687-8477.
Public Safety'The Crime': Part 1 of Rubio murders special airs Tuesday
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Perhaps the most horrific case in Cameron County remains unresolved for many, as killer John Allen Rubio awaits his execution. In a three-part series, CBS 4's Daisy Martinez walks viewers through the unimaginable murders of three children who were decapitated by their own parents in 2003. The crime scarred the community
Public SafetyBrownsville Wing Barn location cleans up roach violations in failed inspection
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — In a puro Que Asco Edition of CBS4's Food 4 Thought, the Food Patrol's Derick Garcia and photojournalist Jerry Salinas visited two restaurants with roach violations on their inspection reports. Ocean Buffet at 2921 Boca Chica Blvd in Brownsville failed a Jan. 8 inspection with a score of 69. The inspector noted a substantial
Public SafetyEdinburg mother charged in San Antonio with capital murder, arson in children deaths
Marlene Vidal, a 34-year-old mother from Edinburg, has been charged with two counts of capital murder and one count of arson in connection with the deaths of her two children in San Antonio. She was arraigned on Saturday, with a bond set at $2.1 million—$1 million for each murder charge and $100,000 for arson. The children, aged 5 and 7, were found dead in a burning vehicle on Richland Hills Drive. Authorities believe Vidal is solely responsible, and while a motive is unclear, mental health issues may be involved. If released on bail, she will be under house arrest and monitored.
Public Safety23-year-old motorcyclist dies in Harlingen crash
A tragic motorcycle accident in Harlingen claimed the life of 23-year-old Ezra Andrea Duke Villafranco from San Benito. The incident occurred on May 15 at approximately 6:20 p.m. at the intersection of San Jose Ranch Road and FM 509. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Villafranco was riding a Kawasaki ER-6 motorcycle and was passing vehicles in a no-passing zone when he collided with a Toyota Tacoma that was turning left onto FM 509. Villafranco was transported to Valley Baptist Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The investigation is ongoing.
Public SafetyEdinburg mother faces capital murder, arson charges after children found dead in San Antonio car fire: Records
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (ValleyCentral) —An Edinburg mother has been booked and is facing three felony charges after her two children were found dead inside a burning vehicle. Marlene Vidal, 34, is facing arson, a second-degree felony, and two counts of capital murder of a person under ten years of age, according to the Bexar County
Public SafetyDPS investigates deadly motorcycle crash in Harlingen
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating a two-vehicle crash that left one man dead. At approximately 6:20 p.m. on Friday, DPS troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on San Jose Ranch Road and FM 509 in Harlingen. According to a news release from DPS, a preliminary investigation determined that a
Public SafetySearch Collectives in Mexico Discover Clandestine Grave with 60 Bags of Human Remains
Guadalajara, Mexico – Search collectives for missing persons in the state of Jalisco (western Mexico) reported on Saturday the discovery of a clandestine burial site in the municipality of El Salto, containing at least 60 bags with human remains and 21 skeletons. Cecilia Flores, a member of the Madres Buscadoras de Jalisco collective, stated that thanks to an anonymous tip, they located a site near a ravine on April 25, where a skull and bones were visible, which had been operating since 2010. "(We have been working) here at this site since April 25, and there hasn't been a day without a positive finding. There are almost 60 bags of remains, in addition to complete and charred bodies, the number of which we do not know," she told the media. Flores warned that the land is near a ravine and that, due to the time it functioned as a burial site, there could be many more bodies of missing victims, even beneath the houses that have recently been built around it. The site is located in a popular neighborhood of El Salto, about three miles from Guadalajara International Airport, one of the three host cities for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Mexico.
Public SafetyCar Hits Pedestrians in Modena, Italy; 8 Injured, 4 Critically
A car struck pedestrians in Modena, Italy, on Saturday, injuring eight people, four of whom are in critical condition. Mayor Massimo Mezzetti reported that no fatalities occurred, but one woman was severely injured and required amputation of both legs. The 31-year-old driver, originally from Bergamo, was arrested and is being questioned by police to determine if he was under the influence or acted intentionally. Witnesses reported he attempted to flee and was seen holding a knife, but no one was stabbed. Emergency services responded quickly, and the area was cordoned off as victims were treated.
Public SafetyEdinburg mother in custody after children found dead in burning vehicle in San Antonio
Marlene Vidal, a 34-year-old mother from Edinburg, was arrested after her two children, ages 5 and 7, were found dead in a burning vehicle in San Antonio. The incident occurred early Friday morning on Richland Hills Drive. Vidal was present when police arrived, and evidence suggests she is solely responsible for the deaths. Investigators are validating her statements and interviewing family members. A neighbor reported seeing Vidal and her children just days before the tragedy, mentioning they planned to move to Austin. Authorities are exploring potential mental health issues as a factor in the case, which remains under investigation.
Public SafetyProgreso homicide victim identified
The Progreso Police Department is investigating a homicide involving 63-year-old Alexander Valentine Frano. Interim Police Chief Al Perez confirmed the victim's identity. Officers responded to the scene on Friday afternoon, located in the 700 block of FM 88. The Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office and Weslaco Fire Department were also present at the site. No further details have been released at this time. This story is still developing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Public SafetyHidalgo County law enforcement agencies join TxDOT's 'Click it or Ticket' campaign
HARLINGEN, Texas ( ValleyCentral ) — Hidalgo County law enforcement agencies are enforcing seatbelt safety as part of the Texas Department of Transportation's annual Click it or Ticket campaign. From Monday, May 18, to Sunday, May 31, officers will enhance traffic efforts during both regular and overtime assignments to also promote child passenger safety. Officers
Public SafetyFugitive on DPS Top 10 Most Wanted Sex Offender List captured in Nuevo Progreso
NUEVO PROGRESO, México (ValleyCentral) — A fugitive on Texas' 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders list was located and arrested in Nuevo Progreso. Kit Edward Lulow, 42, was captured on May 7 by the U.S. Marshals Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force. The Texas Department of Public Safety said Lulow has been wanted since February for multiple crimes in
Public SafetyMission Police Department adds drones to emergency calls
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — There are now some extra eyes in the skies keeping people living in Mission safe. On Thursday, the Mission Police Department unveiled their latest safety tool - a drone - that not only can respond to emergency situations, but can help during those calls. “We have a drone first responder, first
Public SafetyEdinburg mother arrested after children found dead in burning vehicle in San Antonio
A 34-year-old woman from Edinburg, Marlene Vidal, has been arrested on a capital murder charge after her two children were found dead in a burning vehicle in San Antonio. The incident occurred early Friday morning behind a warehouse on Richland Hills Drive. Authorities discovered the bodies of a 5-year-old and a 7-year-old after extinguishing the fire. Investigators suspect mental health issues may have influenced the tragic event. Evidence, including surveillance footage and statements from Vidal, suggests she is responsible for the children's deaths. The investigation remains active as authorities seek to uncover more details and support those affected.
Public SafetyFormer Sinaloa Security Chief Appears in U.S. Court Accused of Assisting Drug Traffickers
Gerardo Mérida Sánchez, the former Secretary of Public Security for Sinaloa, appeared in a U.S. court after his arrest in Arizona. He is accused of accepting bribes to assist the Sinaloa Cartel in smuggling drugs into the U.S. During his initial hearing in Manhattan, he did not enter a plea and remains in custody, with a future bail hearing possible. Mérida Sánchez is one of ten officials charged by the U.S. last month, facing serious charges including conspiracy to export narcotics and possession of firearms, with potential sentences ranging from 40 years to life. Another former official, Enrique Díaz Vega, has also surrendered to U.S. authorities.