Archive | April 2014

Killeen Police Investigate Bank Robbery

Killeen Police investigate afternoon Bank Robbery on Central Texas Expressway.

Bank Robber 3 043014

Officers responded to the 1st National Bank Texas located at 4304 E. Central Texas Expressway at 1:00pm on Wednesday, April 30, 2014, in reference to a bank robbery that had just occurred.

Upon the officers arrival they were told that an unshaven white male wearing glasses with graying hair had come into the bank and given the teller a note telling her that he was armed and demanding she give him money. He was wearing a red ball cap with “Titleist” across the front, a gray or OD colored shirt under a dark colored vest. The letter X could be seen on the shirt through the opening in the vest, light colored jeans and dark tennis shoes. The suspect then fled the bank on foot in an unknown direction.

Bank Robber 2 043014

Bank Robber 1 043014

None of the employees were harmed during this incident.

Detectives are asking anyone who may recognize the suspect in the photos provided or if they know anything about this bank robbery, to contact Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477), 1-800-729-TIPS (8477) or go online anonymously at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com or text BELLCO along with a tip to 274637. Text HELP for help with the tip or text STOP to stop the tip, message and data rates may apply. If your tip leads to the arrest of the suspect involved in this crime you could be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 in cash. All information is confidential and anonymous.

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Investigate Wolf Street Shooting – Update

Killeen Police are investigating an early morning shooting on Wolf St.

Officers responded to 302 Wolf St. at 2:09 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30, 2014, in reference to a shooting. Upon their arrival, officers located a 36 year old male suffering from gunshot wounds to his chest. The victim was immediately transported to the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by medical personnel at 2:47 a.m. Justice of the Peace Garland Potvin ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas.

UPDATE – April 30, 2014

The victim in the shooting has been identified as 36 year old SungJin Farris of Killeen.

Through the investigation detectives have determined that this was not a drive by shooting as earlier reported and they continue to interview witnesses and possible suspects.

This case continues to be investigated and information will be released as it becomes available.

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Investigate Shooting on Wolf Street

Killeen Police are investigating an early morning shooting on Wolf St.

Officers responded to 302 Wolf St. at 2:09 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30, 2014, in reference to a drive by shooting. Upon their arrival, officers located a 36 year old male suffering from gunshot wounds to his chest. The victim was immediately transported to the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by medical personnel at 2:47 a.m. Justice of the Peace Garland Potvin ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas.

The name of the victim has been withheld pending notification of his next kin.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division continue to process the scene at this time.

This case continues to be investigated and more information will be released as it become available.

Detectives are asking anyone with information in reference to this shooting to contact Crime Stoppers at 526-TIPS (8477) or go online anonymously at www.bellcoutycrimestoppers.com or text BELLCO along with the tip to 274637. Text HELP for help with the tip or text STOP to stop the tip; message and data rate may apply. All information is confidential and anonymous and if your tip leads to the arrest of the suspect involved in this crime, you could be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 in cash.

Tina Amerson
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Identifies Suspect and Victim in Gus Drive Shooting

Detectives investigating the shooting death on Gus Dr., had the case reviewed by the Bell County District Attorney’s Office on Sunday, April 27, 2014. They issued a complaint charging 17 year old De’Marcus Kar’del Bronner, of Killeen, with Murder.   Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke set his bond at $1,000,000; he will be transferred to the Bell County Jail later today.

Da'Marcus Kar'Del Bronner

De’Marcus Kar’Del Bronner

The victim has been identified as 35 year old Jorge Ramirez Jr. of Killeen.

Officers responded to a report of a man with a gun in the 3400 block of Stan Schlueter Loop on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 9:46pm. The caller advised the man was wearing all black and was possibly armed with a shotgun. An officer arrived in the area and located a silver Honda Accord with no lights, stopped in the roadway in the 4600 block of Lonesome Dove Dr.   The officer saw a male in the driver’s seat slumped over and suffering from a gunshot wound and the back driver’s side window shattered. The officers began CPR, continuing until paramedics arrived and transported the victim to the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center with life threatening injuries. The victim died at the hospital and Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwestern Institute of Forensice Sciences in Dallas.

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Investigate Shooting Death on Gus Drive

Killeen Police investigate shooting death on Gus Dr.

Officers responded to a report of a man with a gun in the 3400 block of Stan Schlueter Loop on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 9:46pm. The caller advised the man was wearing all black and was possibly armed with a shotgun. An officer arrived in the area and located a silver Honda Accord with no lights, stopped in the roadway in the 4600 block of Lonesome Dove Dr.   The officer saw a male in the driver’s seat slumped over and suffering from a gunshot wound and the back driver’s side window shattered. The officers began CPR, continuing until paramedics arrived and transported the victim to the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center with life threatening injuries.

While the officers were searching the area for the male who was seen by witnesses with a gun, they located a suspicious male in the 3200 block of Gus Dr.   After further investigation, the male was taken into custody and transported to the Killeen City Jail.

The victim, a 35 year old Killeen resident, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by medical authorities at Darnall at 10:36pm; Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas.

The name of the victim has been withheld pending notification of his next of kin and the name of the suspect has been withheld pending further investigation and formal charges.

Detectives with the KPD Major Crimes Unit continue to investigate this death and information will be released as it becomes available.

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police & TxDOT Kickoff Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

The Killeen Police Department in association with the Texas Department of Transportation will be kicking off Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month on Saturday, April 26, 2014, during the Celebrate Killeen Festival at the Killeen Community Center located at Veterans Memorial Blvd and WS Young DR.

The Texas Department of Transportation’s 2014 “Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles” campaign aims to save lives by reminding drivers that motorcycle riders are less visible and less protected than people in cars and trucks. In 2013, crashes killed 494 motorcyclists in Texas; this is up from 470 motorcycle-related deaths in 2012.

Texas Patriot Guard Riders will be riding in formation starting at 10AM and following a route along WS Young/Rancier/38th ST/Veterans Memorial Blvd while carrying flags emblazoned with appeals to “Look Twice for Motorcycles” and “Share the Road.”

Along with the Killeen Police Department’s display of police vehicles, TXDOT will be promoting motorcycle safety at the Celebrate Killeen Festival from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday. Visitors can climb on a stationary motorcycle in a virtual reality setting, take a picture and help spread the “Share the Road” message by posting it on social media.

 

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Trek Across Texas Bike Ride

The Killeen Police Department would like to cordially invite you to their headquarters for the “We Remember” Memorial Bicycle Trek Across Texas, on Friday, April 25, 2014, at 8am.

Police Officers with the San Antonio Police Department will be riding bicycles throughout the state of Texas visiting every city of fallen officers and holding a small remembrance ceremony to honor these brave men and women along with their families. A memorial flag will be presented to the family and a plaque will be given to the department.

Killeen Police Department units will escort the officers on their bicycles from the LaQuinta Inn located at 1108 S. Fort Hood St. to the Killeen Police Department Headquarters located at 3304 Community Blvd. Local officers, who will be riding in the Police Unity Tour to Honor Fallen Officers in May, will be joining this Trek Across Texas in Killeen and Belton.   The escort is scheduled to begin at 7:45am and is expected to take approximately 30 minutes to get to the headquarters.

The officers will leave the Killeen Police Department immediately after the ceremony and ride to the Bell County Justice Complex located on Loop 121 in Belton, to Honor fallen Bell County Deputy Adam Davis. They will be joined by the local Police Unity Tour members from the Killeen Police Department, Harker Heights Police Department and Officer Hornsby’s widow Kimberly.

Everyone is invited to attend, if you run, cycle or ride a motorcycle you can help carry the memorial flag that bears the name of our honored fallen Officer Bobby Hornsby and Bell County Deputy Adam Davis.

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Participates in Prescription Drug Take Back Program

Killeen Police Department Participates in Prescription Drug Take-Back Program.

The Killeen Police Department is participating in the DEA Drug Take-Back Initiative that allows for collection of medications that are no longer needed or wanted. This is a great opportunity for those who missed the previous events, or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of those medications.

Starting now, April 21st, and continuing through the weekend until Monday morning, April 28th, 2014, citizens will be able to leave unwanted drugs with the Desk Officer on duty in the lobby of the Killeen Police Department Headquarters located at 3304 Community Blvd or the Desk Officer on duty at the North Precinct located at 402 N. 2nd St. The DEA will later collect these items for proper disposal.

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposal. It is important for our citizens to remember that you should not flush unwanted prescription drugs down the toilet, put them in the trash or leave the unwanted medications where others might reach them.

We encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted, unused prescription drugs.

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Resolve Standoff on Rancier Avenue Peacefully

Killeen Police resolve situation involving suicidal male at apartment complex.

Officers responded to the Summerlyn Apartments located at 4101 E. Rancier, at 10:49am on Monday, April 21, 2014. Officers were told there was a white male armed with a machete, who was possibly making threats towards someone and threatening suicide. Upon the officers arrival they located the male at building 19 on his balcony; when the officers attempted to speak with him he retreated inside his apartment and closed the blinds. After attempting to speak with the male several times and getting no response, the Tactical Response Unit was deployed at 11:11am and arrived at the complex. The TRU members began attempting to speak with the male; at 12:08pm, he came outside his residence on his own and was detained without incident. Once inside the residence, officers located a machete that belonged to the male.

Through the investigation it was determined the male only made threats to harm himself and did not threaten to harm anyone else; there are no charges filed at this time. The 29 year old male was transported to Scott & White Memorial Hospital for a medical evaluation.

Since there are no criminal charges against the male, his name has been withheld.

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Resolve Standoff Peacefully

Killeen Police resolve afternoon standoff on Sunset St. peacefully.

Officers responded to 1908 Sunset St., at 12:58 pm, on Tuesday, April 15, 2014, in reference to a felony warrant service. Upon the officers’ arrival, they made contact with a female who told officers that the male was not inside the house. When the female stepped outside to speak with them, the officers noticed someone moving around inside; leading them to believe that the wanted person was indeed inside the house. Officers tried to talk to the suspect for more an hour but he refused to respond.

The Killeen Police Tactical Response Unit was deployed to the residence at 2:32 pm. The team attempted to negotiate with the male, requesting him to surrender, for more than two hours, however he continued to ignore their commands. Chemical munitions were eventually deployed into the residence, which encouraged the suspect to surrender; he was taken into custody without incident at 5:44 pm.

The 29 year old male has outstanding warrants for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Probation Violation for Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. His name has been withheld pending arraignment.

Shortly afterwards the 26 year old female was taken into custody and charged with Hindering Apprehension. Her name has been withheld pending formal charges returned from the Bell County District Attorney’s Office.

This case continues to be investigated and information will be released as it becomes available.

Tina Amerson
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department