By: Stephanie Jacksis and Christine McCarthy
KILLEEN - U.S. Highway 190 was closed Sunday morning, as multiple police departments, a SWAT team and a K-9 unit surrounded a local auto parts store.
Around 8:30 a.m., a gunman reportedly tried to rob two workers at O'Reilly's Auto Parts at 1703 E. Central Texas Expressway. Police said the suspect forced one employee who was outside the front of the business to go into the building and he demanded his money. While the suspect held the man at gunpoint, he searched for the other employee, who had escaped and called police. The suspect then allegedly forced employee to lie face-down on the floor.
Almost an hour later, that employee was able to escape from the building unhurt.
Thinking the robber was still inside the store, officers and the SWAT team surrounded the building and tried to negotiate with the gunman.
Several roadways were closed down, including Highway 190, and frontage roads near W.S. Young. A.J. Hall and Grandon Drive were also barricaded.
After about an hour of trying to coax the robber out of the building, authorities went inside and searched the business but came out empty-handed. The robber had already escaped.
Police believe the robber left the store with an undisclosed amount of cash, between the time the employees called police and when authorities arrived.
The suspect is described as a 6'3" male, weighing about 250 pounds. His face was covered during the robbery, but he was wearing a light blue or gray hooded sweatshirt at the time.
If you have any information about this case, call Killeen Crime Stoppers at (254) 526-8477.
