Police arrest man on suspicion of murder, blocking traffic on causeway
Corpus Christi police arrested a man on suspicion of murder on Friday, blocking the southbound lanes of the Nueces Bay Causeway and causing heavy traffic.
On Dec. 8, Corpus Christi police officers found a 60-year-old man dead at a home in the 5800 block of South Alameda Street where they had been conducting a welfare check, according to a news release. An investigation with the Robbery/Homicide Unit determined the man was a victim of foul play.
Following up on leads, homicide detectives identified a suspect, 42-year-old Phillip Cheatham. On Tuesday, detectives secured an arrest warrant for Cheatham for murder on a $750,00 bond.
Officers with the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Violent Offender Fugitive Task Force; officers assigned to the Gang Unit, K-9 Unit and Traffic Unit; and patrol officers located and took Cheatham into custody on the 4500 block of E. Causeway, near Highway 181 access road, without incident at 6:15 p.m. Friday.
As officers conducted the arrest, they blocked the southbound lanes of the causeway, causing traffic to be backed up for at least 30 minutes.
When the Caller-Times initially asked police about the reason for the road blockage, Corpus Christi Police Department Senior Officer Travis Pace said some officers were investigating in the area but that the road was not blocked and there should not be any traffic congestion. However, police confirmed Saturday morning that the road blockage was due to their investigation and arrest of Cheatham.
Cheatham was transported to the main station to be interviewed and was later transported to the City Detention Center for processing.
Police ask that anyone with information about the incident call the Corpus Christi Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 361-886-2840. Anyone who would like to anonymously provide information to detectives should call Crime Stoppers at 361-888-8477 or submit the tip online at p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=.
Staff writer Ashlee Burns and staff photographer Angela Piazza contributed to this story.
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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at [email protected] or Twitter @johnpoliva.
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