Killeen Police Investigate Motel Room Death
Killeen Police and Fire departments investigate a fire and death of a woman in local motel room.
The Killeen Fire and Police Departments responded to a 911 call reporting a possible structure fire at the Palace Inn, located at 6200 E. Veterans Memorial Blvd, on Saturday, July 5, 2014, at 11:31am.
Upon the officers arrival they were told by the maintenance personnel that they were checking the rooms of those customers that were supposed to be checked out by 11:00am. While on the second floor they smelled smoke in the area of room #219; a pass key was used to check on the welfare of the person who was checked into that room. Upon entering the smoked filled room, a female was found inside that appeared to be deceased. Killeen Fire Department paramedics confirmed that the female was deceased and contacted Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke; he pronounced the 25 year old female deceased at 11:58am. He also ordered an autopsy to be performed at the southwestern institute of forensic sciences in Dallas. The cause of death has not been determined at this time.
At this point the Killeen Police and Fire departments are working together to determine the cause of the fire and the cause of the females death. Detectives are asking anyone who may have information about this incident to contact Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477), go online at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com or text BELLCO along with the tip to 274637. All information is confidential and you can remain anonymous.
This death continues to be investigated and information will be released as it becomes available.
Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Investigate Possible Kidnapping – Update
Female located and male arrested in Llano County
Jessica Lauren Hartzler Shannon and Wesley Bo Shannon were located Wednesday, July 1, 2014, just before 11:00 pm at a family members home in Llano County. The family members took Jessica to Scott and White Memorial Hospital where she was treated and released.
The family members took Wesley to the Llano County Sheriffs’ Department. Wesley Bo Shannon was arrested and subsequently charged with Burglary of a Habitation with the Intent to Comment a Felony and his bond has been set at $200,000.00 as recommended by Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke.
July 1, 2014
Killeen Police are investigating a welfare concern of a female who appeared to be involved in a domestic dispute just before 1:00pm today.
Officers responded to the 1200 block of Missouri Avenue at 12:43pm, today, July 1, 2014, after witnesses told them they observed a struggle between a male and female. The witnesses advised it appeared that the male forced the female into a silver or gray 2007 Hyundai Elantra bearing Texas license plate CST-6532, and fled the area. Further reports advised the vehicle was seen in the Lampasas area just before 2:00pm and was occupied by both subjects.
Witnesses told officers that the male, Wesley Bo Shannon possibly forced his wife, Jessyca Lauren Hartzler Shannon into the vehicle and is possibly holding her against her will.
Witness described Wesley Shannon as a 19 year old white male who is approximately 6’0 tall and weighs approximately 140 pounds. He has brown hair and blue eyes and he has a teardrop tattoo under his left eye. He was last seen wearing a white shirt and jeans. Jessyca Hartzler Shannon is a 26 year old white female who is approximately 5’0 tall and weighs approximately 110 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a black shirt and jeans.
Tina Amerson
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Seek Identity of Theft Suspect
Killeen Police are asking for the community’s help in identifying and locating a suspect using stolen debit/credit cards.
The victim came into the Killeen Police Department on Saturday, June 21, 2014, after noticing an unauthorized debit/credit card purchase in the amount of $900.00 was made with his debit/credit card at the Lowes Home Improvement Store in Killeen. The victim does not recognize the suspect and has no idea how the suspect obtained the debit/credit card information because the victim never lost possession of the card.
Detectives have attached a photo of the suspect. The suspect appears to be an Asian female with long black hair, heavy set and medium height. At this time it is known that this suspect used at least two stolen debit/credit cards to purchase about $2,000.00 in gift cards from the Lowes Store.
Detectives are asking anyone who can identify this suspect or has information about this incident to contact Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477), go online at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com or text BELLCO along with their tip to 274637. Text HELP for help with the tip or text STOP to stop the tip, message and data rates may apply. All information is anonymous and confidential and if your tip results in 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 Investigate Possible Kidnapping
Killeen Police are investigating a welfare concern of a female who appeared to be involved in a domestic dispute just before 1:00pm today.
Officers responded to the 1200 block of Missouri Avenue at 12:43pm, today, July 1, 2014, after witnesses told them they observed a struggle between a male and female. The witnesses advised it appeared that the male forced the female into a silver or gray 2007 Hyundai Elantra bearing Texas license plate CST-6532, and fled the area. Further reports advised the vehicle was seen in the Lampasas area just before 2:00pm and was occupied by both subjects.
Witnesses told officers that the male, Wesley Bo Shannon possibly forced his wife, Jessyca Lauren Hartzler Shannon into the vehicle and is possibly holding her against her will.
Witness described Wesley Shannon as a 19 year old white male who is approximately 6’0 tall and weighs approximately 140 pounds. He has brown hair and blue eyes and he has a teardrop tattoo under his left eye. He was last seen wearing a white shirt and jeans. Jessyca Hartzler Shannon is a 26 year old white female who is approximately 5’0 tall and weighs approximately 110 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a black shirt and jeans.
Officers are asking anyone who sees this vehicle or the male and female to contact their local police department to check on the Jessyca’s welfare.
This incident continues to be investigated and information will be released as it becomes available.
Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Warn of Facebook Scams
Killeen Police would like to inform citizens of con artists that have increased their efforts to obtain money from law abiding citizens
Several account holders, who bank with USAA and other well known banks, are contacting solicitors that are advertising on Face book, Twitter and Instagram about ways to make money. The account holders contacting these solicitors are being scammed. They are mailing or giving their debit cards to the solicitors, in addition to providing their log in information and other online banking credentials. The solicitors then deposit a worthless check, usually via deposit@mobile, into the account holders’ bank account. The solicitor then withdraws the funds or they may have the account holder withdraw the funds and send the money to the solicitor via Western Union. The account holder ends up with a negative balance because their money has been withdrawn and the worthless check does not clear.
To help prevent yourself from being a victim you should:
- Never give out your personal information to include your banking information.
- Do not send your debit card to anyone or give out your card numbers.
- Contact the police immediately if you think someone is trying to scam you.
Remember if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is!
Tina Amerson
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Arrest KISD Teacher
Killeen Police arrest a former Killeen High School teacher for an inappropriate relationship with a student.
Officers were notified of a male teacher who was having a sexual relationship with a student who was attending Killeen High School between September 2013 and June 2014.
Samuel Antonio Caines Jr.
Detectives began an investigation into this allegation over several months and were able to determine that the 55 year old male teacher was having a continuous sexual relationship with a 16 year old female student for approximately 9 months. Upon learning of this investigation, KISD administrators placed the teacher on administrative leave on February 14, 2014.
On Wednesday, June 18, 2014, this case was reviewed by the Bell County District Attorney’s Office and a complaint was returned charging Samuel Antonio Caines Jr. with Inappropriate Relationship Between Educator and Student (2nd degree Felony) and Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke issued a warrant for his arrest. Detectives served the warrant against Caines at his residence in Killeen. He was transported to the Killeen City Jail where he was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke on Thursday, June 19, 2014 and set his bond at $100,000. Caines was released after posting the required bond.
Additional charges are pending after further review by the Bell County District Attorney’s Office. Caines is no longer employed with the Killeen Independent School District.
Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Missing Eldery Man – Update
UPDATE:
Mr. Rubio Zaragoza has been located and is safe. Thank you to everyone who assisted in looking for him.
Missing Elderly Man – endangered
On Thursday night, June 5, 2014, at about 10:30 p.m. the police department was notified of a missing Killeen citizen.
Mr. Rubio Zaragoza, an 86-year-old Hispanic male was last seen around 9:00 p.m. leaving his Killeen home in his blue 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser bearing Texas license DJ2-S840 in an unknown direction of travel. Rubio is 5’7” and about 130 pounds with gray hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a beige and brown checkered shirt and beige pants.
Rubio is medication-dependent and showing the early signs of dementia.
Rubio’s family and the police department are concerned for his welfare. If anyone has seen Rubio, please call the police immediately.
Margaret Young
Chief of Staff
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Seek Missing Elderly Man
Missing Elderly Man – endangered
On Thursday night, June 5, 2014, at about 10:30 p.m. the police department was notified of a missing Killeen citizen.
Mr. Rubio Zaragoza, an 86-year-old Hispanic male was last seen around 9:00 p.m. leaving his Killeen home in his blue 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser bearing Texas license DJ2-S840 in an unknown direction of travel. Rubio is 5’7” and about 130 pounds with gray hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a beige and brown checkered shirt and beige pants.
Rubio is medication-dependent and showing the early signs of dementia.
Rubio’s family and the police department are concerned for his welfare. If anyone has seen Rubio, please call the police immediately.
Margaret Young
Chief of Staff
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Ingvestigate Felony Theft from City Library
Killeen Police need your help identifying a male suspect involved in a Felony Theft.
Theft Suspect
Officers were dispatched to 205 N Gray St. on Saturday, April 26, 2014, in reference to a theft. Upon their arrival, officers met with an employee of the City of Killeen Library who told them that a male had entered the restroom and stole the metal piping from several of the toilets. The suspect is described as a tall white or light skinned male, bald and wearing a light blue shirt, blue jeans and white shoes. The security video revealed that the suspect was driving a small orange hatchback car, possibly a Mazda 2.
Theft Suspect’s Vehicle
Detectives are asking anyone can identify this suspect to contact Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477), go online at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com or text BELLCO along with their tip to 274637. Text HELP for help with the tip or text STOP to stop the tip, message and data rates may apply. All information is anonymous and confidential and if your tip results in 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
Rabies Confirmed in Skunk Found on Greyhound Drive
Killeen Animal Control Officers responded to the 4500 block of Greyhound Drive on Saturday, May 24, 2014, in reference to a dog chasing a skunk out of the yard of a residence. A call was later received advising officers that the skunk was found dead in the backyard of another residence. The skunk was picked up and per protocol it was processed for testing at the Texas Department of State Health Service, Austin Laboratory.
The Texas Department of State Health Services notified the Killeen Animal Control Unit on May 27, 2014 that the skunk had tested positive for the rabies virus.
Animal Control Officers will be distributing handouts in the area of Greyhound to ensure the residents of that area are aware of this incident, the potential danger that has been identified and have a chance to prepare.
RABIES NOTICE
We ask that all citizens to take the following precautions:
- Make sure your pets rabies vaccinations are up to date
- Supervise your pets and/or children when they are outdoors even in fenced yards
- Do not approach or touch any wild animal
- Report any sick or injured animals or any unusual animal activity to the Killeen Animal Control Unit at:
During normal operating hours – 254-526-4455
After normal operating hours – 254—501-8800
The rabies virus is deadly to humans and animals; be cautious and observant.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
KilleenPD News 