Officers responded to a 911 call of a Shooting Victim at the Econo Lodge located at the 600 block of East Central Texas Expressway, on Tuesday, July 4, 2017, just after 9:30 p.m.  Upon the officers’ arrival, they located a male lying on ground and suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for medical treatment.

This case continues to be investigated by detectives and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division, Violent Crimes Unit, are asking anyone who has information about this Aggravated Assault to contact Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477) or go online at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com.  You can also download the P3Tips App for IOS and Android and give an anonymous tip.  All information given is anonymous and confidential, and if your tip leads to the arrest of the person responsible for this Aggravated Assault, you could be eligible for reward up to $1,000 in cash.

Tina Amerson
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police will be Focusing on Extra Patrols on Independence Day.

The Killeen Police Department will be increasing the number of officers patrolling the streets of Killeen on Tuesday, July 4, 2017, focusing on impaired drivers.  The extra patrols are a result of the department’s participation in a Texas Department of Transportation funded grant known as the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP).   Officers working with the STEP program will focus on locating and arresting impaired or intoxicated drivers who are presenting a hazardous risk.  It is the goal of this program to prevent potential injuries and loss of life to local drivers and travelers.

If you see a driver you believe to be impaired or driving recklessly, please call 911 with the vehicle’s description, direction of travel and license plate number if possible.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

The Killeen Police Department would like to wish everyone a Happy Independence Day tomorrow.  We also want to remind the public about the responsibility to celebrate safely and legally.

• Fireworks are illegal to discharge within city limits and it shall be unlawful for any person to possess, store, offer for sale, sell at retail, or use or explode any fireworks within the corporate limits of the city and within the area immediately adjacent and contiguous to the city limits and extending outside the city limits for a distance of five thousand (5,000) feet, unless such area is within the corporate limits of another municipality.  Any person in violation may be charged with a class C misdemeanor and a fine up to $2,000.00. The use of fireworks can put an unnecessary strain on police and fire departments.
• Fireworks are dangerous and citizens should to understand the associated risks, which can include burns, injuries, fire and even death.  Leave the fireworks to professionals and enjoy one of the area shows.
• Pets and Fireworks don’t mix.  The animal shelter has an influx of animals after the holiday because pets are left unattended and they become frightened or disoriented from the noise.  Remember to keep your pets in an escape-proof home, as many can jump over or dig under a fence in their panic from the noise.  Make sure your pet is micro-chipped.
• Loud, unexpected noises such as fireworks may affect combat veterans suffering with PTSD.

Please celebrate safely and responsibly.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

The Killeen Police Department has installed an emergency call box at the North Precinct Building, located at 402 N. 2nd Street, giving citizens immediate access to police assistance.  In an effort to utilize our resources more efficiently, the information desk located at the North Precinct will no longer be staffed with a desk officer beginning Monday, July 3, 2017, at 6:00 a.m.  Detectives with the Special Investigation Division will still occupy the building.  The call box will give citizens the ability to file reports and have an officer dispatched to that location.  Citizens will still have the ability file reports with the desk officer at Police Headquarters, located at 3304 Community Blvd.

The call box is located on the south side of the building closer to Ave. C and signs have been posted directing people to the box.  The call box has two buttons, a black button for non-emergency calls and a red button for emergencies.

Ofelia Miramontez

Public Affairs

Killeen police Department

UPDATE – June 30, 2017

Detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit are interested in speaking to the individual in these photos.  They believe he may have information that would be pertinent to two robbery investigations that occurred at the USAA Financial Center within two hours of each other.

Killeen Police are investigating two overnight Robberies.

Killeen Police responded to the USAA Financial Center located at 900 W. Central Texas Expressway in reference to two separate Aggravated Robberies.  Officers responded to the first robbery on Tuesday, June 27, 2017, at approximately 10:37 p.m. Officers subsequently responded to a second robbery at approximately 12:29 a.m. on Wednesday, June 28, 2017.   Officers were told that in each robbery, the victims were approached while using the ATM by two black males; one displayed a weapon.  The suspects demanded money from the victims and fled the area in an unknown direction.  They were last seen wearing hooded sweatshirts and masks over their faces.

One of the victims was assaulted by the suspects and he was treated and released on scene.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division, Violent Crimes Unit, suspect the robberies to be connected, but are unable to determine if they are at this time.  Each incident will be investigated individually.

Detectives are asking anyone who has information about these Aggravated Robberies to contact Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477) or go online at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com.  You can also download the P3Tips App for IOS and Android and give an anonymous tip.  All information given is anonymous and confidential, and if your tip leads to the arrest of the person responsible for these Aggravated Robberies, you could be eligible for reward up to $1,000 in cash.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

The Killeen Police Department General Crimes Unit is asking local residents to be aware of several different telephone and internet scams that are scamming residents out of thousands of dollars.   We have noticed an increase in several of these scams in the last few weeks.  There are many different scams that have an IRS or Law Enforcement angle to them.  Most of them are carried out in a similar manner as outlined below.

• Someone posing as an IRS employee calls and tells the victim that they will be arrested unless they pay a fine.
• The scammer may advise there is a warrant for the persons arrest and it can be stopped by paying a certain amount.
• The scammer will even transfer the call to a supervisor, if asked.
• The victim may receive another phone call while speaking with the scammer, advising they are a police officer with the Killeen Police Department. In many cases, they have spoofed one of the main KPD telephone numbers (254-501-8830) in order to appear legitimate.
• The scammer requests gift cards ranging in the amount of $4000.00-$8500.00 or more from retailers such as, Walgreens, Home Depot, Best Buy and Target.  The gift cards are usually Green Dot, iTunes, Steam, Visa and many more.
• The scammer stays on the phone with the victim and after each gift card is purchased, they have the victim supply the card number and pin number over the phone.
• The scammers then redeem the code and abscond with the victim’s money.

Other scammers are targeting the elderly.   They are requesting money, usually in the form of gift cards, on behalf of a love one.  The scammers lead the victim to believe their love one has been arrested and has to have money to get out of jail.  The scam is just a different version, but the end goal is always the same, they are trying to steal the victim’s money.  They are spoofing local phone numbers to fool caller ID so that victims believe they are speaking with law enforcement or an official agency.

Some tips to avoid becoming a victim:

• Governmental agencies do not solicit money via phone.
• Governmental agencies and other legitimate agencies should not ask for payment to be made via any sort of gift card.
• Do not give out personal information over the phone. Scammers will use social engineering tricks to make a victim believe they are only verifying personal information when, in reality, the victim is being tricked into giving it up.
• When in doubt, please contact law enforcement for assistance or a family member prior to making any purchases or payments.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police investigate an Armed Robbery at a Convenience Store.

Officers responded to a 911 call about a Robbery at the 7-Eleven Convenience Store located at 3600 Clear Creek Road, on Thursday, June 29, 2017, at 12:48 a.m.  Upon the officers’ arrival, they were told that two black males entered the store, displayed a weapon and demanded money.  The suspects fled the area in an unknown direction with cigarettes and undisclosed amount of money. The suspects were last seen wearing dark-colored hoodies.  No injuries were reported.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division, Violent Crimes Unit, are asking anyone who has information about this Aggravated Robbery to contact Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477) or go online at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com.  You can also download the P3Tips App for IOS and Android and give an anonymous tip.  All information given is anonymous and confidential, and if your tip leads to the arrest of the person responsible for this Aggravated Robbery, you could be eligible for reward up to $1,000 in cash.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police investigate an Aggravated Robbery at a Wendy’s Restaurant.

Officers responded to the Wendy’s Restaurant located at 1201 S. Fort Hood Street, on Thursday, June 29, 2017, at 12:30 a.m., after receiving a 911 call about an Armed Robbery.  Upon the officers’ arrival, they were told by employees that two black males approached the drive-thru window, displayed a weapon and demanded money.  The employees retreated into the store.  No injuries were reported.  The suspects were last seen wearing dark-colored hoodies and fled in an unknown direction.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division, Violent Crimes Unit, are asking anyone who has information about this Aggravated Robbery to contact Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477) or go online at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com.  You can also download the P3Tips App for IOS and Android and give an anonymous tip.  All information given is anonymous and confidential, and if your tip leads to the arrest of the person responsible for this Aggravated Robbery, you could be eligible for reward up to $1,000 in cash.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police are investigating two overnight Robberies.

Killeen Police responded to the USAA Financial Center located at 900 W. Central Texas Expressway in reference to two separate Aggravated Robberies.  Officers responded to the first robbery on Tuesday, June 27, 2017, at approximately 10:37 p.m. Officers subsequently responded to a second robbery at approximately 12:29 a.m. on Wednesday, June 28, 2017.   Officers were told that in each robbery, the victims were approached while using the ATM by two black males; one displayed a weapon.  The suspects demanded money from the victims and fled the area in an unknown direction.  They were last seen wearing hooded sweatshirts and masks over their faces.

One of the victims was assaulted by the suspects and he was treated and released on scene.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division, Violent Crimes Unit, suspect the robberies to be connected, but are unable to determine if they are at this time.  Each incident will be investigated individually.

Detectives are asking anyone who has information about these Aggravated Robberies to contact Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477) or go online at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com.  You can also download the P3Tips App for IOS and Android and give an anonymous tip.  All information given is anonymous and confidential, and if your tip leads to the arrest of the person responsible for these Aggravated Robberies, you could be eligible for reward up to $1,000 in cash.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Department would like to advise the community of possible road closures and traffic delays due to the funeral service and processional for former General Robert M. Shoemaker on Wednesday, June 28, 2017.

The procession is expected to leave the Killeen Civic & Convention Center at approximately 2:30 p.m. proceeding to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.  Expect traffic delays and/or road closures on W.S. Young Drive near the convention center, West Elms Road towards Highway 195 and S. Highway 195 towards the cemetery.

The Killeen Police Department would like to ask everyone to drive safely and obey all traffic laws.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department