Public Safety
Public Safety news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
Public SafetyDetails and Photos: Judicial Document Reveals Suspect in Attempted Assassination of Trump
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, faces charges for attempting to assassinate President Trump and other crimes related to an attack during the White House Correspondents' Dinner at a Washington, D.C. hotel. Allen, a resident of Torrance, California, was arrested shortly after the shooting. Federal authorities report that Allen was carrying a 12-gauge Mossberg pump-action shotgun, knives, and ammunition when he ran through security. A court filing by the Department of Justice (DOJ) includes photos of Allen, a registered hotel guest, allegedly taken in his room minutes before the attack. Allen has ties to Southern California, including attending Pacific Lutheran High School in Gardena and the prestigious California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. During a search of his parents' home in the Los Angeles area, authorities discovered two long gun cases, a Mossberg stock, a pistol holster, a training pistol, and shotgun ammunition, according to the filing. The DOJ released new information and photographs on Wednesday in a court document ahead of a scheduled hearing this week for Allen, who is accused of attempting to assassinate President Trump during the White House Correspondents' Dinner. The document, which requests the judge to keep Allen in custody, includes previously unpublished photos of Allen in his Washington, D.C. hotel room and lists items allegedly in his possession, as well as those recovered from his parents' home in Los Angeles County.
Public SafetyMexican Man Pleads Guilty to Posing as Border Patrol Agent with Fake ID
A Mexican man in the United States has pleaded guilty to impersonating a Border Patrol agent and following federal immigration officers to distract them during operations in Southern California. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California, Jaime Ernesto Álvarez-González admitted to tailing a Border Patrol agent on January 8 as the agent drove through a San Diego neighborhood. Prosecutors revealed that Álvarez-González was driving a black Ford F-150 truck, a model often used by undercover federal agents, with a license plate frame that read 'federal truck' in small letters—though the word 'federal' was misspelled. The truck also had a Border Patrol decal on the windshield, non-functional radio antennas on the roof, and handcuffs hanging from the rearview mirror. The agent aborted his mission after noticing Álvarez-González following him, mistakenly believing other agents were responding. When confronted by actual agents, Álvarez-González reportedly shouted obscenities and demanded they leave the Linda Vista community. At one point, three additional vehicles arrived in the area and began harassing the agents, even pursuing them onto the highway. Prosecutors stated that Álvarez-González had recorded himself actively searching for federal agents involved in immigration operations and claimed he had brought 'reinforcements.' A fake FBI badge was also found in his possession. Álvarez-González pleaded guilty to one count of impersonating a federal agent and three counts of illegal firearm possession. His federal public defender did not respond to an emailed request for comment.
Public SafetyComey Appears in Court, Accused of Making Threats Against Trump
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia — Former FBI Director James Comey appeared in court on Wednesday, marking the beginning of a criminal case against him that legal experts say poses significant challenges for the prosecution and will likely be difficult for the Department of Justice to win. Comey, who did not enter a plea of guilty or not guilty, was formally charged in North Carolina on Tuesday with making threats against President Donald Trump. The charges stem from a photo he posted on social media last year, showing seashells arranged to form the numbers '86 47.' The Department of Justice argues that these numbers constituted a threat against Trump, the 47th president.
Public SafetyU.S. Marshals Discuss Security Strategies in South Padre Island
Cameron County served as a meeting point for U.S. marshals from various regions, who gathered to strengthen security strategies and address challenges such as migration and organized crime. These meetings provide an opportunity to share experiences and coordinate efforts to improve public safety, especially in border areas like Texas and Arizona. Manuel Treviño, Cameron County Sheriff, stated, 'We all face the same challenges... especially when it comes to migration. The geography may differ, but the problems are similar.' Participants discussed strategies to combat crime, identify high-incidence areas, and track repeat offenders, particularly in cases involving firearms. Discussions also included leveraging technology and enhancing human resources. 'The most important aspect is this exchange... to understand different issues and learn how others have resolved them,' noted Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño. Authorities agreed that the migration crisis has expanded the role of local agencies, requiring them to address human and drug trafficking while maintaining community safety. In tourist destinations like South Padre Island, interagency collaboration is crucial. 'We welcome over seven million visitors a year... these partnerships allow us to strengthen our ability to solve crimes,' said Claudine O’Carroll, the area's police chief. This article was originally reported for broadcast by Telemundo 40. Artificial intelligence tools assisted in creating the digital version, and a Telemundo Digital journalist edited the article for publication.
McAllen child hospitalized after vaping on school bus, authorities issue warning
Mexico military captures top cartel leader in another blow to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel
12-year-old McAllen IDEA student hospitalized after vaping on school bus, 1 student in custody
McAllen student arrested after threatening principal with AR-15, complaint says
Public Safety'We can’t live in fear': Reynosa residents push forward amid unrest
HIDALGO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Reynosa Mayor Carlos Peña Ortiz was in McAllen on Tuesday as security concerns continue to escalate just across the border, following new warnings urging people to avoid the greater Reynosa area amid a recent wave of violence linked to cartel activity. “I always hear that McAllen is one of the safest places
Public SafetyNew technology to help with auto-theft cases in Palmview
PALMVIEW, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Palmview Police Department will be awarded new technology through a state-funded grant to combat auto-theft cases in the region. The Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Association awarded the grant to help the police department obtain its first set of license plate readers. A total of four license plate readers will be used
Public SafetySocial Media Scams to Cost $2.1 Billion in Losses by 2025: Report
Social media has become the preferred platform for scammers, enabling them to steal an astonishing $2.1 billion by 2025, according to an announcement made Tuesday by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The amount of money lost to social media scams has skyrocketed in recent years. Losses in 2025 are projected to be eight times higher than those in 2020, partly because scammers can now reach potential victims more easily through social media platforms. 'Social media provides access to billions of people worldwide, making it easier for scammers to operate at minimal cost,' the FTC stated in a release.
Public SafetyTRAFFIC ALERT- Full Width of SH 4 Phase One to Open in Brownsville, PUSHED BACK to May 5-6
The full width of State Highway 4 (International Boulevard) currently under construction, between I-69E and Wilson Street in Brownsville, is scheduled to reopen.
Public SafetyMexico Highlights 'Significant' Blows Against Drug Cartels Following Arrests of CJNG Leaders
MEXICO CITY – President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized on Tuesday the 'significant' arrests of 'El Jardinero,' identified by authorities as one of the top leaders of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), and his financial operator by the Armed Forces, in operations she linked to progress in the fight against organized crime. 'Yesterday, there were two very, very significant arrests (…) This is tied to advancements in intelligence and investigations in the country, which is one of our key strategies, and the results are evident,' the president stated during her daily press conference in Mexico City. On Monday, the Mexican Navy arrested Audías Flores Silva, alias 'El Jardinero,' in the western state of Nayarit. Flores Silva is considered one of the CJNG leaders and a possible successor to 'El Mencho,' who was killed in a federal operation two months ago and was regarded as one of the world's most wanted drug lords. Hours later, special forces from the Mexican Army and National Guard captured César Alejandro ‘N,’ alias 'El Güero Conta,' suspected to be Flores Silva’s financial operator.
Public SafetyFire at McAllen mulch facility under investigation
MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The McAllen Fire Department continues to extinguish smoldering brush piles that ignited Monday at the McAllen mulch facility, McAllen Fire Chief Juan Gloria said Tuesday. Firefighters will remain on site until they fully extinguish all hot spots. Chief Gloria told ValleyCentral that the fire is fully contained and poses no threat to
Public SafetyReward Paid in Tip Leading to Fugitive’s Capture in San Antonio
Herbert Lee Souvenir, 47, was taken into custody in San Antonio on Friday, April 17. Following up on tip information.
Public SafetyWoman remains in critical condition after being ejected from truck window: Edinburg police
EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A 22-year-old woman remains in critical condition after being ejected from a truck window over the weekend, according to an update from the Edinburg Police Department on Tuesday. At approximately 2:20 a.m. on Saturday, 25-year-old Andrew Rodriguez was driving a Toyota Tacoma with the windows down. The woman, who has not been
Public Safety59-Year-Old McAllen Man Charged with Allegedly Furnishing Alcohol to Minors Following House Party
Texas Border Business McALLEN, Texas – The McAllen Police Department has arrested a 59-year-old resident following a weekend response to a disturbance that uncovered a large gathering involving underage drinking. On the evening of Sunday, April 26, 2026, officers were dispatched to the 7300 block of North 8th Street after a neighbor reported hearing a young
Public Safety908 pounds of meth hidden in tile shipment at Pharr bridge: CBP
PHARR, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Officers seized 908 pounds of alleged methamphetamine hidden in a title shipment at the Pharr International Bridge last week, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. On April 21, CBP officers referred a commercial tractor-trailer traveling from Reynosa, Mexico, to a secondary inspection. Upon a physical inspection, the title pallets
Public SafetyUS Consulate Matamoros issues alert on Reynosa criminal roadblocks
REYNOSA, Tamaulipas (ValleyCentral) — The U.S. Consulate in Matamoros issued a security alert on Monday after receiving reports of violent criminal activity, including roadblocks in Reynosa. U.S. government employees have been ordered to avoid the greater Reynosa area. The U.S. Consulate of Matamoros advises the following actions: The state of Tamaulipas, which borders South Texas, remains
