Texas Border Business
McAllen Police Officers are asking the public’s assistance in locating a missing woman.
Missing Person was identified as Melissa Banda, 37 yrs.
Melissa Banda Description:
- Hispanic female,
- 37 years old,
- 5’ 6” in height,
- 128 pounds approximately in weight,
- Brown eyes,
- Blonde hair.
Nature of Call For Service (CFS): Disturbance – In Progress.
CFS Date/Time: 08-06-2020 / 3:49 PM.
CFS Location: 7100 Block North 7th Street, McAllen, Texas.
CFS Summary:
Officers responded to above described CFS. Upon arrival, Officers were informed that male suspect(s) “forced female [victim] …and put her in …SUV”. A suspect was identified as Richard Ford, 40 yrs., husband of the victim. Responding Officers identified the victim as Melissa Banda, 37 yrs. and that the suspect vehicle was a white Dodge SUV.
At 8:07 PM, Responding Officers determined the license plate data for the suspect vehicle and determined that suspect vehicle was a rental unit.
At 9:31 PM, Responding Officers located the suspect’s personal vehicle at a parking lot adjacent to the McAllen Airport.
At 9:32 PM, Responding Officers determined that the vehicle suspected used during this incident, white Dodge SUV, was at or near Beach Access 5 at South Padre Island, Texas.
Cameron County Law Enforcement Officers approached the suspect vehicle and located and arrested the suspect in this incident. The victim was not with the suspect at the time of his arrest.
The suspect, at the time of this arrest, was wanted on two warrants: Violation of a Court Order – Class A Misdemeanor and Harassment – Class B Misdemeanor. Both warrants were issued at McAllen on August 6, 2020.
On June 30, 2020, the victim reported “her ex-husband, Richard Ford … called her … [that] morning … when answering the call Richard stayed quiet on the line … there is currently a protection order which prohibits him from making any contact with her”. The victim provided a copy of order as Cause #P-0124-20-A by Judge of the 92nd District Court. The above described warrants were issued in this case. The suspect is currently at the Cameron County Jail on these charges.
Charges associated with this missing person incident are pending.
Anyone with information as to the missing person’s whereabouts or has information about the crime is urged to call McAllen Crime Stoppers at 956-687-TIPS (956-687-8477). If the information leads to an arrest you may be eligible for a cash reward. You may also submit an anonymous tip through the smart phone app “P3 Tips.”
