Killeen, TX (December 14, 2020): 26-year-old male in connection to the missing runaway, 16-year-old Irma Perez, is currently in the Killeen City Jail.

The Killeen Police Department along with the U.S. Marshal’s Lone Star Fugitive Task Force apprehended Shaukhiem Griffin of Killeen for Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration. Griffin was taken into custody without incident at approximately 6:15 p.m. in the 4100 block Elms Run Circle in Killeen.

Griffin was a person of interest in connection with a missing person, Irma Perez from Killeen. Perez has been in contact with family members and is not considered endangered at this time.

The Killeen Police Department continues in their efforts to reunite Perez with her family. The case continues to be investigated and further information will be provided once it becomes available.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (December 14, 2020): One woman is in custody after officers conducted a search warrant at a residence in the 1100 block Nolan Avenue and located several stolen vehicles on the property.

Killeen Police was contacted by the Travis County Sheriff’s Office requesting our assistance in locating a stolen vehicle equipped with a GPS tracker out of their agency. The GPS showed the location of the stolen vehicle, 2008 Silver Mercedes, in the back yard of the residence.

Upon arrival, Patrol Officers observed the stolen vehicle parked in the backyard of the residence with another vehicle parked in the driveway. The vehicle in the driveway was found to also be stolen out of Copperas Cove.

A search warrant was secured for the residence and officers recovered two stolen firearms out of Harker Heights, narcotics, the keys to the stolen vehicles and a large amount of identifying information. The residence was occupied with three individuals: Brooke Cunniff, her 17-month-old son and Chelsea Smith. Chelsea Smith, 28, was found to have five outstanding warrants for Burglary of Vehicle and one for Debit/Credit Card Abuse. The warrants were from the Belton, Nolanville and Harker Heights Police Departments. Smith was transported to the Bell County Jail.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

UPDATE NEWS RELEASE: Killeen, TX (December 11, 2020): Male suspect formally charged after stealing car with children from the gas station.

On December 10, 2020, this case was reviewed by the Bell County District Attorney’s Office and two complaints were returned charging 26-year old Christopher Ausgo Thomas with Kidnapping and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.  Thomas is currently in the Bell County Jail.

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NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE LOCATE STOLEN CAR

Killeen, TX (December 8, 2020): Officers locate a male suspect after he stole a car with two children inside in the 3400 block of West Stan Schlueter. 

The Killeen Police Department received a 911 call on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, at approximately 3:00 p.m., about a car being stolen.  Upon the officers’ arrival, the victim told officers that she walked inside the gas station, when she noticed a male get in her vehicle, a white Kia, and drove off with her two children in the backseat.  The vehicle was last seen traveling westbound on Stan Schlueter. 

Assisting officers immediately saturated the area and they located the Kia.  The suspect driver came to a stop at a parking lot at 4001 W. Stan Schlueter and he was taken into custody without incident.  The 2- and 7-year old children were located inside the vehicle unharmed.  For precautionary measures, paramedics checked the welfare of the children and were returned safely to their mother. 

“This is a reminder about not leaving your keys in an unattended vehicle.  In a matter of seconds, a thief looks for easy access to commit a crime of opportunity.  The officers with Days A Shift did an outstanding job locating the suspect and safely returning the children,” stated Assistant Chief Donohue.  

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (December 8, 2020): Officers locate a male suspect after he stole a car with two children inside in the 3400 block of West Stan Schlueter.

The Killeen Police Department received a 911 call on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, at approximately 3:00 p.m., about a car being stolen. Upon the officers’ arrival, the victim told officers that she walked inside the gas station, when she noticed a male get in her vehicle, a white Kia, and drove off with her two children in the backseat. The vehicle was last seen traveling westbound on Stan Schlueter.

Assisting officers immediately saturated the area and they located the Kia. The suspect driver came to a stop at a parking lot at 4001 W. Stan Schlueter and he was taken into custody without incident. The 2- and 7-year old children were located inside the vehicle unharmed. For precautionary measures, paramedics checked the welfare of the children and were returned safely to their mother.

“This is a reminder about not leaving your keys in an unattended vehicle. In a matter of seconds, a thief looks for easy access to commit a crime of opportunity. The officers with Days A Shift did an outstanding job locating the suspect and safely returning the children,” stated Assistant Chief Donohue.

Investigation is ongoing and information will be released as it becomes available.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (December 1, 2020): On Tuesday, November 17, 2020, at approximately 8:03 a.m., officers responded to an Aggravated Robbery at the Lucky Treasures Game Room located at 4302 E. Rancier Ave. The victim reported that an unknown white male entered the business wearing a light blue hooded sweatshirt, with the hood over his head and a mask over his face. The suspect pointed a handgun at the clerk and demanded money. The clerk complied and the suspect fled on foot in an unknown direction.

Through the investigation, detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit were able to identify two suspects, with one being the getaway driver. The case was reviewed by the Bell County District Attorney’s Office and complaints were returned, charging 40-year-old Franklin Derek Cepeda Camacho and 31-year-old Courtney Michelle Maldonado with Aggravated Robbery. On Monday, November 30, 2020, Camacho and Maldonado were located and arrested without incident. Both are currently in the Bell County Jail.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (November 17, 2020): A 16-year old male suspect is in custody for the death of Damien Xavier Rocha-Torres on Camp Cooper Drive.

Through the investigation, detectives with the Homicide Unit identified a male juvenile suspect in this case.  It was determined that the suspect did then and there recklessly cause the death of Rocha-Torres by shooting him with a deadly weapon and concealing physical evidence, namely the firearm, with intent to impair its availability as evidence in any subsequent investigation.

The case was screened by the Bell County Attorney’s Office, Juvenile Division, and a Directive to Apprehend was issued for Manslaughter.  On Tuesday, November 17, 2020, at approximately 1:49 p.m., the juvenile suspect was taken into custody and is currently in the Bell County Juvenile Detention Center.

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Killeen, TX (September 25, 2020): A 18-year old male victim is dead after being shot inside a residence in the 2500 block of Camp Cooper Drive. 

The Killeen Police Department was dispatched on Friday, September 25, 2020, at approximately 1:40 a.m., to a residence in reference to a 911 call about a shooting victim.  Upon the officers’ arrival, they located a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound.   Officers started to perform life saving measures until paramedics arrived.   

The victim, Damien Xavier Rocha-Torres, 18, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at 2:12 a.m. by Justice of the Peace Garland Potvin at the scene.  He ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwest Institute of Forensic Science in Dallas. 

Through the investigation detectives were told that the victim was inside a room of the residence with known acquaintances when family members heard a loud noise.  When they checked on the victim, he was suffering from a gunshot wound and the subjects had fled through the window.    

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (November 12, 2020): Today, several officers with the Killeen Police Department conducted a Move Over/Slow Down operation on Interstate 14 in Killeen. With the assistance from Goode’s and Leon’s Wrecker Companies, they set up on the interstate with full emergency lighting activated on the side of the road. The operation ran between 9:00 a.m. and 12 noon and officers issued the following citations.

• 42 Unlawful Passing Certain Vehicles
• 4 Fail to Maintain Financial Responsibility (no insurance)
• 3 Speeding
49 Total Charges

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Killeen, TX (November 9, 2020): On Thursday November 12, 2020, in conjunction with National Traffic Incident Response Awareness Week, the Killeen Police Department Patrol Division will conduct a Move Over/Slow Down traffic enforcement operation on Interstate 14 within the Killeen City limits.

The primary objective of this operation is the education and enforcement of the Move Over/Slow Down Law to protect Public Safety workers, tow truck operators, TXDOT personnel, and other protected persons who routinely work and respond to incidents on the highways and roadways of the state.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (November 4, 2020)

Through the investigation, Detectives with the Homicide Unit received information from a witness that 20-year-old Cory Grafton was at the scene at the time Chelsea Cheatham was murdered.  With the assistance from the Texas Rangers, DNA from the scene was submitted and the results  confirmed that Grafton matched the DNA located on Cheatham.  On November 3, 2020, detectives with the Homicide Unit obtained a warrant for Murder and shortly after 4:00 p.m., the warrant was executed.  Grafton was taken into custody and transported to the Killeen City Jail. 

We would like to thank the Texas Rangers and the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Program for their assistance in this Murder case.

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Killeen Police Investigates a Homicide at Days Inn.

On Monday, June 3, 2019, at approximately 10:39 p.m., Killeen Police were dispatched to the Days Inn located at 1602 E. Central Texas Expressway in reference to a female that was unconscious and not breathing.  Officers’ immediately started to perform life saving measures until paramedics arrived.  The victim, 32 year-old Chelsea Lynell Cheatham was pronounced deceased at 11:35 p.m. by Justice of the Peace Daryl Peters.  He ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas.

At the time of the incident it was unknown if her death was by natural causes and an investigation was initiated.  Detectives with the Homicide Unit recently received the results of the autopsy and it was determined the manner of death was ruled a homicide. 

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department