KILLEEN, TX — UPDATE: 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.
ORIGINAL STORY:
The Killeen Police Department has arrested a man after he allegedly stole a car with two children inside.
Around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, December 8, the department received a 911 call about a car being stolen in the 3400 block of West Stan Schlueter.
When officers arrived, the victim told officers she walked inside the gas station when she noticed a man get into her vehicle, a white Kia, and drive off with her two children in the backseat.
The Kia was last seen traveling westbound on Stan Schlueter.
Killeen PD says assisting officers immediately saturated the area and located the Kia.
The suspect driver came to a stop at a parking lot at 4001 West Stan Schlueter. He was taken into custody without incident.
The 2-year-old 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.
An investigation is ongoing. Killeen PD says information will be released as it becomes available.
