LISD Campus Crime Stoppers awarded grant For the fifth year in a row, Laredo ISD Campus Crime Stoppers was awarded a generous donation from the ConocoPhillips Corporation as part of the company’s efforts to contribute to the quality of life in the Laredo area. Recently at their annual Philanthropic Committee Grant luncheon, ConocoPhillips awarded $5,000 to LISD Crime Stoppers to help pay for the program’s 10 Hotlines which are utilized for tips at the secondary schools. Nine secondary school sponsors and the district coordinator take the phone calls and or text messages and forward the information about crime to the appropriate authorities such as school administrators, Laredo ISD Police Department, Laredo Police Department, Webb County Sheriff’s Office and Laredo Crime Stoppers. “The phones are essential to the success of LISD Campus Crime Stoppers,” said Estella Quintanilla, LISD Campus Crime Stopper Coordinator. “It is important that the community be reminded that all calls to the Hotlines will remain anonymous.” With the assistance of ConocoPhillips, the program continues to be a success in seizing drugs which would have otherwise ended up in students’ hands. During the first quarter of 2011, LISD Campus Crime Stoppers has received 180 tips, approved 44 rewards, issued $2,695 in reward checks, recovered $1,550 in stolen property, seized $5,319 in drugs and have seized seven weapons.

 The Laredo Independent School District Campus Crime Stoppers was hailed as one of the best during their state convention. The organization competed with other districts in the state during the 16th annual Texas Campus Crime Stoppers Conference held in Odessa, Texas.

 LISD Campus Crime Stoppers Organization was recognized for bringing back several awards and honors. For the third year in a row, they received the award for best website in the state produced by Armando Saldaña, which highlights the many accomplishments of the program. They also claim the Best General News Print story written by Bobby Treviño and published in the Laredo Morning Times and LISD A+ Newsletter on the Memorial Middle School program sponsor Antonio Vela, who was the Texas Sponsor of the Year. Also Adrienne Flores, Lamar Middle School eighth grade student, was selected as an Alternate Ambassador. Flores was selected for writing an essay explaining why she wanted to join the elite group which introduces guest speakers, help conducts student projects during the conference, and acts as proctors for the adult seminars. Ambassador Caprice Gonzalez, a freshman at Nixon High School, and Ambassador Amanda Castaneda, an eighth grader at Lamar Middle School, participated in the opening ceremonies where they introduced the honor guard.

 Also during the conference, Laredo ISD Campus Crime Stoppers mascot “Crime Buster” was introduced as the Texas Crime Stoppers mascot. Buster who is the ideal mascot will represent Texas Crime Stoppers throughout the state. His costume consists of a larger than life cowboy hat and a western shirt with the Lone Star Flag. He carries cell phones in his holsters to show the public that an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers works just as well as a weapon to stop crime.

 Last year, Campus Crime Stoppers received 827 tips and paid close to $18,000 in rewards. The Campus Crime Stoppers, which partners with the LISD Police Department, is a nationally recognized organization which provides students with the opportunity to give anonymous information by phone, text or online about any illegal activities at their campus or by students off campus. This organization gives rewards for tips that prevent a crime or tips which lead to the arrest or detention of any student committing an offense.

 Crime Stoppers has helped solve over one million crimes across the nation. By encouraging citizens to help reduce crime by combining media awareness, monetary rewards and anonymity for informants, Crime Stoppers has created an effective method for solving crimes and helping citizens take back control over their neighborhoods.

 Tips may be reported to the tips line at 744-0083 or to the campus crime stoppers website at www.laredoisd.org/crimestoppers.

Courtesy Maru De La Paz,

 Laredo, Texas (Webb County) – In his efforts to continue to keep Webb County safe, Sheriff Martin Cuellar shared some of his forfeiture monies with Crime Stoppers by presenting a check for the amount of $10,000.00, during the 16^th annual Menudo Bowl.

 “Menudo Bowl is an important event because it is the largest fundraiser for Laredo Crime Stoppers.  It not only brings families together, but it also promotes our Laredo culture and tradition.  The presentation of the $10,000.00 is my humble way to let the Laredo Crime Stoppers organization know that I stand by them and will continue to support them financially year after year.”  Stated Sheriff Martin Cuellar.

 Since its inception, Laredo Crime Stoppers has received approximately 265 million calls with tips resulting in over 3,500 arrests.  Statistics show that in 2009, the total estimated street value of narcotics seized was $18,162,481.00.  In 2010, the total estimated street value worth of narcotics seized was $19,430,112.00. A difference of $1,267,631.00  worth of narcotics in a two year span.

 Ever since he took office, Sheriff Cuellar has provided support to this organization financially.  Sheriff Cuellar understands that the fight against crime is one of the biggest challenges that our community faces right now and that Crime Stoppers depends on financial support from the community in order to pay the tips to the callers. 

 “We are extremely thankful for this significant amount of money that Sheriff Cuellar has given us.  These funds will be used to pay rewards to the callers.  Thanks to  agencies such as the Webb County Sheriff’s Office we continue to take drugs off the streets.”  Said Carolyn Leyendecker, Executive Director of Laredo Crime Stoppers, Inc.

 “Please report any suspicious criminal activity to 956-727 TIPS (8477), If the call leads to an arrest, you could be eligible to receive a cash reward up to $1,000.00.  All calls are confidential, help us keep our community safe from drugs and crime.” Stated Sheriff Martin Cuellar.

Courtesy Maru De La Paz,

Laredo, Texas – On Wednesday, January 12, 2011, The Webb County Sheriff’s Office donated twenty (20) Video – microphones, which are police microphones with the ability to take pictures as well as digitally record video and audio, to the United Independent School District (UISD) Police Department.  The donation of the vidmics was paid through the Webb County Sheriff’s Office forfeiture funds, which is money confiscated by Webb County Sheriff’s Office deputies from their successful disruption of the illegal sale of illicit drugs.  This donation represents yet another preventive safety tool in the arsenal of policing equipment for the United Independent School District Police Department.  During recent decades, the use of video evidence collected by in-car video recorders has enhanced officer safety, training, performance, and professionalism.  However, most school district officers spend most of their time away from their cars’ video recorders and in the hallways of their assigned schools. The donated vidmics will allow the UISD officers to take this important police tool wherever they go.  In dealing with minors, the United Independent School District Police Department must utilize extreme caution and the vidmics will allow officers to record and document situations as evidence for school records and court cases.  Furthermore, the video will allow for school authorities to better identify participants in school incidents such as fights.

 Sheriff Martin Cuellar is glad to be assisting a partnering law enforcement agency, stating that, “The Webb County Sheriff’s Office recognizes the particular challenges that UISD peace officers face daily in their special duties to protect the students, teachers, and other professionals on the campuses of their school district.  They are tasked with a very special mission ensuring the safety of our youth.  With these vidmics, the officers will possess another police surveillance tool to enhance their ability to carry on with this important mission.” 

 Laredo, Texas (Webb County) – On Friday, July 9^th, 2010, at approximately 4:30 p.m.,  Webb County Sheriff’s Investigators responded to a call at the 1500 block of Centeno Lane, in reference to a welfare concern of a local resident.  The call was made by family members after their failed attempts to communicate with their loved one. Upon arrival, they discovered a deceased body of a Rio Bravo resident.

 The body  was identified as 59 year old Josefina Ramirez Villagomez. Autopsy results revealed a gunshot wound to the head.  The Webb County Sheriff’s Office asks the public for their help in locating Mrs. Villagomez’s husband, 59 year old Rosendo Villagomez.  Rosendo Villagomez is a person of interest in this case. He was last seen traveling in a gray colored 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer, with Texas License Plates TBW-660.  If anyone sees Rosendo Villagomez or the vehicle, please contact the Webb County Sheriff’s Office at (956) 523-4408 or Crimestoppers at (956) 727-8477.  If your tip leads to an arrest you may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000.

 This murder case is under investigation by Webb County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division.

Courtesy Maru De La Paz,

 Laredo, Texas (Webb County) – On Thursday, June 17, 2010, at approximately 12 noon, Webb County Sheriff’s Office Crime Stoppers Division responded to a call regarding illegal activity at a Motel on the 2500 block of Saunders.  Upon arrival, Deputies discovered one bundle of marijuana along with 22 marijuana plastic baggies ready for distribution.  The marijuana had a weight of  14.3 pounds at an approximate street value of $7,099.  Arrested at the scene was Ruben Arce, 19, he was charged with possession of marijuana, felony 3.

Courtesy Maru De La Paz,

Task Force is comprised of federal, state and local Law Enforcement Agencies

Laredo, Texas (Webb County) – The Gulf Coast Violent offenders and Fugitive Task Force (GCVOFTF) in Laredo coordinated the apprehension and capture of Arturo Rodriguez, 23, a fugitive wanted by the Webb County Sheriff’s Office for aggravated  robbery.  The warrant surfaced from 2 robbery  cases in 2009.

On May 7, 2010, The Task Force developed information on a possible location that Rodriguez was utilizing at the 1800 block of Jefferson St. in Laredo, Texas.  At the residence,  Sheriff Deputy Task Force Officer, Deputy U.S Marshals, District Attorneys’ Task Force Officer, Laredo Police Department Task Force Officer and Webb County Community Supervision and Corrections Division Task Force Officer, encountered Rodriguez climbing out of a back window of the residence.  The Officers made contact with Rodriguez and immediately took him into custody.

 As a reference, Arturo Rodriguez, was accused in 2009 of 2 assaults. One incident happened on February 4, 2009, when Rodriguez assaulted a subject at a bus stop.  Rodriguez pulled up to the bus stop and demanded to use the victims cellular phone, after making several phone calls, the victim approached Rodriguez to ask for the phone when Rodriguez took out an ice pick and attempted to use it in the mission of his theft. Rodriguez fled the scene taking the victim’s cellular phone with him. 

The second incident occurred on February 5^th, 2009, at the intersection of Texas and Frost street when Rodriguez jumped inside a vehicle, a Dodge pickup truck,  as it approached such intersection.  As soon as Rodriguez got inside vehicle, he kicked the driver out of the vehicle at knife point. 

 Subsequently, Rodriguez failed to appear in court and the 341^st District Court issued a warrant against Rodriguez for failure to appear. As Officers developed information for Rodriguez arrest, Officers discovered that Rodriguez has a new theft charge pending and was served with a new warrant

 “Our Office works diligently with other Law Enforcement Agencies in order to continue to combat crime in our community.  The capture of Rodriguez, a most wanted by the Webb County Sheriff’s Office, exemplifies that our officers continue to work with the upmost integrity, in most cases resulting in a successful arrest.”  Sheriff Martin Cuellar stated.

Webb County Sheriff Deputies and Crime Stoppers are asking for the community to help capture this individual by calling 727-TIPS or 1-800-558-TIPS all calls are anonymous and callers may receive a reward of up to $1,000.00. We ask the community to help us keep Our Community Safe.

OUR DEPARTMENT HOLDS AN ACTIVE WARRANT DATE  04/07/2010

 SUBJECT-ARTURO RODRIGUEZ  

 AGE- 23

 WEGHT-143

 HEIGHT- 5’ 01

 EYES-BROWN

 HAIR-BLACK

 LAST KNOWN ADDRESS-  100 Block of DUVAL

 CHARGE- ROBBERY, AGGRAVATED ROBBERY

 COURT- 341^ST  DISTRICT COURT

 JUDGE-  ELMA  SALINAS ENDER

 BOND-  NO BOND

WEBB COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT

902 VICTORIA ST.

WARRANT DIVISION

DAVID CARDENAS

956-523-4527

Courtesy Maru De La Paz,

Webb County Sheriff Deputies and Crime Stoppers are asking for the community to help capture this individual by calling 727-TIPS or 1-800-558-TIPS all calls are anonymous and callers may receive a reward of up to $1,000.00. We ask the community to help us keep Our Community Safe.

Pena-Vasquez,Cesar  Age :   42    Hgt:     5’09”  Wgt:    310   Hair:     Black   Eyes:    Brown   Skin:  Med

Last Known Address:   9600 block of  Ashton     Laredo, Texas

 Charge:  INDECENCY WITH A CHILD SEXUAL CONTACT

 406^TH DIST. COURT

 District  Judge  J. LOPEZ

Courtesy Monica Garcia, 

Prosecutors with the Special Victims Unit of the Office of the District Attorney are appealing to the public to assist in locating Edgar Gabriel Cerda (12/21/1968).  Cerda was scheduled to appear at the Webb County Justice Center yesterday for jury selection in his trial.  He is facing one count of Indecency with a Child by Contact, a second degree felony with a punishment range of two to twenty years in prison. 

 The charges stem from an incident at a local Days Inn motel where a Laredo child was visiting with relatives.  The child was swimming at the motel pool and made his way to the restroom where he was approached by the Defendant and was allegedly fondled.  The Defendant is charged with having engaged in sexual contact with the child by touching the child’s genitals with his hand.   

 A warrant for Cerda’s arrest was issued after he failed to appear in court yesterday morning.  Authorities began searching for him immediately and found his apartment vacated.  Both the 406^th District Court’s Absconder Unit and the US Marshalls continue searching for Cerda.  The public is asked to notify law enforcement immediately with any information as to his whereabouts.

 Laredo Police Department nonemergency number                     956-795-2800

Webb County Sheriff’s Department nonemergency number 956-523-4500