Press Releases
Due to predicted inclement weather in Dallas tomorrow, Mrs. Pickens and guests will be unable to travel to San Angelo tomorrow. The planned meeting for Operation Blue Shield tomorrow and has been cancelled and will be rescheduled soon. When the new meeting date and time is set, that information will be released in a subsequent press release.
The Concho Valley Citizens Care organization, in partnership with the San Angelo Police Department, is sponsoring a meeting about bringing Operation Blue Shield to San Angelo. The meeting will be held on Thursday November 5, 2015 at 10:30 am in the North Conference Room of the McNease Convention Center, 500 Rio Concho Drive. The founder and CEO of Operation Blue Shield, Mrs. Toni Pickens, will be in attendance for the meeting, and a question and answer session will immediately follow the meeting.
Mrs. Pickens? charitable and community contributions are vast. She is a founding member of the AT&T Performing Arts Center, serves on the advisory boards of Dallas Habitat for Humanity, the Baylor Health Care System Foundation, Texas Heart Institute, Amergy Bank-Dallas and Oklahoma State University. In addition, Mrs. Pickens serves on the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy Steering Committee, the MD Anderson Living Legends Steering Committee, and the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans Life Partner/Member.
Operation Blue Shield's mission is to create, promote and fund programs designed to bring about the progressive change, trust and unity that our communities and our Nation so desperately needs. Operation Blue Shield's outreach programs connect, educate and empower community stakeholders (citizens, local businesses, public officials, non-profits, education, churches, first-responders and law enforcement) in a common goal of positive, forward-thinking social infrastructure changes. In doing so, we serve to unify these groups in a shared commitment to public safety, increased accessibility to home ownership, an increase in small business, improved education and economic development (jobs).
Please join Concho Valley Citizens Care and the San Angelo Police Department in welcoming Mrs. Pickens and Operation Blue Shield to San Angelo by attending the meeting this Thursday. If you would like more information about the various programs Operation Blue Shield is involved in please visit www.operationblueshield.com.
A 31-year-old San Angelo man was arrested Saturday night after a vehicle and foot chase through a Santa Rita neighborhood.
Just before 11:00 p.m. on October 31, San Angelo Police attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a red 1995 Chevrolet Silverado near W. Avenue J and S. Bryant Blvd. for displaying a fictitious license plate. The driver, later identified as Jimmy Carrasco Jr. (DOB 01-17-84), refused to stop and evaded Officers for several blocks. During the pursuit, Carrasco ran several stop signs and nearly collided with oncoming traffic.
The vehicle pursuit ended when Carrasco stopped his vehicle in the 600 block of W. Avenue K where he exited and ran on foot. He was apprehended a short time later in the 600 block of W. Avenue M.
Police K9 Team Officer B. Gesch and his Police Service Dog Duke arrived on scene and conducted an article search of the path Carrasco took after he fled from his vehicle. Duke was able to locate a plastic bag that contained marijuana in an alley where Carrasco was seen jumping a fence.
Carrasco was charged with Evading Arrest in a Vehicle, Evading Arrest on Foot-Prior Convictions, Class B Possession of Marijuana, Displaying a Fictitious License Plate, five outstanding City Warrants, one outstanding County Warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance PG1, and issued a traffic citation for No Insurance.
A 20-year-old female passenger Carrasco left behind when he fled from the vehicle was released at the scene.
***SAPD***
The San Angelo Police Department is saying goodbye and happy retirement to one of its most beloved Officers, Jimmie Byrne. Today is Byrne's last day with the Department; however, this is not the first time he has retired.
Byrne was hired in October 1973. He began his career as a patrol officer before transferring to the Street-Crimes Unit, then on to oversee the Traffic Division. Byrne promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1982 and Lieutenant in 1987.
Byrne retired, the first time, in August 1999 and returned to the Department as a Part-time Officer in December 2008 where he has since worked as a Motors Officer. Since his return, Byrne earned the Title of Reserve Officer of the Year two years in a row at the Department's Annual Awards and Appreciation Banquet. He has received countess letters of commendation from local citizens, businesses, and the Department. Accruing 2,172 training hours throughout his career, Byrne retires as a Master Patrolman who has served the community for 33 years.
?I have been blessed to have shared my career with such a great man. He is a great officer, great supervisor, and great employee. When he retired and decided to come back part time, we were ecstatic. I will personally miss having him around.? Police Chief Tim Vasquez
***SAPD***
The San Angelo Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division is investigating a home invasion robbery that occurred early this morning in north San Angelo.
At approximately 4:10 a.m. this morning, San Angelo Police responded to a home invasion robbery in the 2800 block of Bowie St. No one was hurt during this incident but a weapon was exhibited during the robbery.
The suspect(s) got away with various items of value, including the family vehicle, which was recovered shortly thereafter, and left in an unknown direction.
If anyone has any information regarding this crime, please contact Det. Gaeta at (325) 657-4387. To remain anonymous, call the Crime Stoppers 24 hour tip hotline at (325) 658-HELP or 1-800-756-3434.
***SAPD***