Courtesy Joe Baeza,

On March 8th, Laredo Police Narcotics/Vice Unit assisted by Laredo Police Patrol and LPD Canine Units executed a state narcotic search warrant at 1700 Wooster, Laredo, Texas.  The execution of the search warrant was the result of a two week investigation.  Eloy Alvarado,  Javier Arreola  and Florencia Maria Huerta  were  arrested after officers located and seized approximately 2.5 grams (8 doses) of cocaine, 3.2 grams of heroin (16 doses of heroin), 3 grams of methadone (10 pills) and 10 grams of marijuana.. Subjects were charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance F/3 and Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity F/2.

 (Laredo, Tx)-The Laredo Police Department will be working an Impaired Driver Mobilization STEP grant that has been provided by the Texas Department of Transportation in which police officers will be working overtime in enforcing DWI laws by locating and identifying intoxicated drivers during the spring break holidays.

 Law enforcement throughout Texas and the Laredo Police Department, are participating in the push to deter drunk driving. During Spring Break 2012, state and local law enforcement agencies will be working overtime to enforce the state’s drunk driving laws.

In Texas, the legal limit for intoxication is .08 BAC. If an officer thinks your driving is impaired, you can still be stopped and arrested for DWI regardless of your BAC. Penalties get worse with every DWI offense.

 First conviction

$2,000 maximum fine
Up to six months behind bars
Suspended driver’s license for up to a year
$1,000 every year for three years to keep your driver’s license

 Second conviction

$4,000 maximum fine
Up to one year in jail
Suspended driver’s license for up to two years
$1,500 every year for three years to keep your driver’s license

 Third conviction

$10,000 maximum fine
Two to ten years in prison
Suspended driver’s license for up to two years
$2,000 every year for three years to keep your driver’s license

 On Saturday, March 10, 2012 the Laredo Police Department will accepting applications for its’ explorer program.  Interested persons may apply at the main police station located at 4712 Maher Avenue between 9 a.m. and noon. 

 Chartered through Boy Scouts of America, Exploring is a work site based program that gives insight and experience to those young men and women considering a career in law enforcement.  It is not a “Boot Camp” for troubled children.  Applicants will have to pass a background investigation and interview board. 

 Minimum requirements include;

• 15-18 years of age,
• Have parental permission,
• Be enrolled in school and passing all subjects,
• Have no criminal history,
• Be in good physical health,
• Be able to attend meetings every Sunday

 Explorers receive classroom and hands-on training in different areas of police work such as;

 Accident Investigation

Arrest, Search & Seizure

Bomb Threat Investigation

Building Search

Crime Prevention

Crime Scene Investigation

Domestic Violence

Felony Stops

First Aid

Hostage Negotiations

Traffic Stops

(Laredo, Tx)-Francisco Javier Castro has an outstanding warrant of arrest for Murder and Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity for the death of a man who was identified as an undocumented immigrant who died as a result of a rollover on Bismark on February 28, 2012.  There were a total of 4 people who went to local hospitals as a result of the crash in which Castro was driving a Ford Explorer. 

Castro fled the scene of the accident and is being sought by Police. If anyone has any information about the location where Francisco J. Castro can be found they are asked to call Laredo Police at 795-2800.  Castro has a tattoo on his left side of the neck area with the name “Monica” on it in cursive handwriting.

Chief Maldonado requests Congressional funding to support community safety efforts

 Washington, D.C. – Chief Carlos R. Maldonado of the Laredo Police Department was invited to the White House, where he provided insight on how the Administration’s recently-released Strategic Implementation Plan for Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States can be implemented locally. Chief Maldonado joined more than 35 senior and front line law enforcement officials in giving feedback, talking about how the federal government can best support efforts to implement the strategy in local communities. Participants also had the opportunity to inform officials like Attorney General Eric Holder and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano about their local needs and how the government can be most helpful, especially highlighting many of the activities occurring in their respective communities already.

  “This was an incredible opportunity for federal officials to listen to the concerns and the need to further partnerships and collaborations” said Chief Maldonado. The Chief further added “concerns were voiced to Attorney General Holder and Secretary Napolitano regarding budget cuts and adequate staffing needs.  They both agreed that these issues would be addressed and I feel confident and have renewed hope that funding will be allocated to ensure border security.”  Chief Maldonado concludes “The Administration called and said they wanted my input – they know it needs to be implemented by people in the community in a way that matches the reality on the ground.”  

 In addition to explaining how the Administration can improve its support to state, local and tribal partners, Chief Maldonado expressed that Congress should allocate the $5 billion from the American Jobs Act to hire 40,000 new cops, so that these critical law enforcement jobs of the future are funded.

 Empowering state, tribal and local partners is an integral part of the Administration’s plan to protect communities against violent extremists, which builds upon existing local partnerships, promotes information-driven community-based solutions, and utilizes community-oriented policing efforts to counter violent extremism and violent crime regardless of ideology. At the event, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) briefed the participants on current analysis, engagement efforts around the country, and current efforts to ensure training is accurate and protects civil rights and liberties. 

 The Administration’s strategy on countering violent extremism was developed with significant input from state, local and tribal law enforcement and members of community organizations. Working together with communities and local law enforcement has been successful in previous efforts to mitigate threats and improve public safety. 

 Chief Maldonado said that Congress should appropriate funding for state and local law enforcement efforts, since they play a critical role in community preparedness and countering violent extremist threats. According to Congressional Budget Office estimates, the American Jobs Act would allocate $5 billion for state and local law enforcement and first responders, creating 40,000 new law enforcement jobs around the country and mandating expedited hiring through the Department of Justice’s COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) Program.

 LAREDO, Texas – Ruben Ibarra, 37, of Laredo, Texas, has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison today for illegally possessing a firearm, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today along with Laredo Police Department Chief Carlos R. Maldonado. The conviction and sentence stems from an altercation at the Coyote Creek Bar and Grill restaurant during the early morning hours of Feb. 28, 2011, involving Ibarra and Fernando Perez, 28, also of Laredo. 

Courtesy Joe Baeza,

(Laredo, Tx)-Laredo Police Department is asking for your help in identifying a person in this surveillance footage.   The person is wanted for questioning only.  He is not a suspect and is not wanted for arrest.  The photos are of a man making a purchase of bolt cutters from a local hardware store in North Laredo.  There was evidence left behind at the crime scene that could have only been purchased at this hardware store.  The purchase was made the day before the burglary.  If anyone can identify this man they are being asked to call the Laredo Police Department at 795-2800 with any information. All calls will remain anonymous.

The arrest took place on Wednesday night at a local park.  Sciaraffa’s son and the others were later released on a $1,000 bond that was posted by each individual. 

Sciaraffa and the group could receive up to a year in jail  if found guilty on the charge.

ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2011, AT 6:40 P.M., AN LPD OFFICER WAS DISPATCHED TO A PUBLIC LEWDNESS CALL AT 1001 S. US HWY 83 (THE EXPRESS LANE DRIVE THRU). WHILE EN ROUTE THE DISPATCH NOTES STATED THAT A FEMALE WAS ALLEGEDLY DANCING ON TOP OF A CUSTOMER INSIDE THE VEHICLE WITH THE DOOR OPEN IN PLAIN VIEW. THE REPORTING PARTY REFUSED TO IDENTIFY. UPON THE OFFICER’S ARRIVAL AT THE EXPRESS LANE DRIVE THRU HE OBSERVED ONLY ONE FEMALE EMPLOYEE WHO WAS WEARING A SMALL LACE BLACK THONG WHICH EXPOSED HER ENTIRE BUTTOCKS,  A SMALL ZEBRA STRIPPED SEE THRU SHIRT CUT OFF AT THE BOTTOM AREA OF HER BREASTS AND BLUE HIGH HEELS. THE OFFICER ASKED THE FEMALE IF SHE WAS THE ONLY ONE WORKING AND SHE STATED THAT SHE WAS, AND THE REST OF THE WORKERS HAD THE NIGHT OFF.

THE OFFICER THEN ASKED THE FEMALE IF SHE HAD ANY IDENTIFICATION ON HER. THE FEMALE THEN VERBALLY IDENTIFIED HERSELF BY NAME AND GAVE HER DATE OF BIRTH. UPON HEARING HER DATE OF BIRTH THE OFFICER ASKED THE GIRL HOW OLD SHE WAS AND SHE STATED SHE WAS 16 YEARS OLD.

THE OFFICER THEN DECIDED TO FILE AN “EMPLOYMENT HARMFUL TO CHILDREN” REPORT. THE EMPLOYMENT HARMFULTO CHILDREN SECTION STATES THAT A PERSON COMMITS AN OFFENSE IF THEY EMPLOY OR INDUCE A PERSON UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE TO WORK (b)(2) IN ANY PLACE OF BUSINESS PERMITTING, REQUESTING, OR REQUIRING A PERSON UNDER 18 TO WORK NUDE OR TOPLESS.

 THE SAME SECTION THEN DEFINES NUDE AS (A) ENTIRELY UNCLOTHED, (B) CLOTHED IN A MANNER THAT LEAVES UNCOVERED OR VISIBLE THROUGH LESS THAN FULLY OPAQUE CLOTHING ANY PORTION OF THE BREAST BELOW THE TOP OF THE BREAST, IF THE CHILD IS FEMALE, OR ANY PORTION OF THE GENITALS OR BUTTOCKS.  A FEW MINUTES LATER THE OWNER OF THE BUSINESS ARRIVED. THE OWNER WAS IDENTIFIED AS SANDY SAAVEDRA.

CONTACT WAS MADE WITH THE 24 HOUR DISTRICT ATTORNEY HOT LINE AND THE OFFICER SPOKE WITH AN ASSITANT DISTRICT AATTORNEY ON DUTY. A C.S.I WAS THEN REQUESTED TO THE SCENE. THE INVESTIGATOR TOOK PHOTOS OF THE CHILD’S APPEARANCE AS EVIDENCE.

Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween is fun for people of all ages, but it’s important that you and your children remain safe. These simple tips will help make your Halloween celebration better than ever.