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Kissimmee police investigating death as homicide; person of interest detained
Kissimmee police have reclassified the death of a man found in his home Thursday as a homicide and have identified a person of interest in the investigation.
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Kissimmee police have reclassified the death of a man found in his home Thursday as a homicide and have identified a person of interest in the investigation.
Detectives are asking for the public's help as they look into the death of Charles Harper, 71, continues.
The backstory:
Charles Harper was found dead Thursday morning with apparent injuries inside his home on Heather Way, police said.
Investigators determined Harper's blue pickup truck had been taken from the scene.
Police are investigating a homicide in which the deceased victim truck was stolen. [Credit: Kissimmee Police]
About two hours later, the vehicle was located by Altamonte Springs police, who stopped 32-year-old Nicolas Lopez while he was driving it.
According to police, Lopez initially refused to identify himself and provided a false birthdate before being arrested on obstruction charges. Authorities later confirmed his identity at the jail.
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Detectives are investigating Lopez's connection to Harper's death after the victim's cellphone was tracked to the traffic stop involving the stolen truck.
Police said no one has been arrested or charged in connection with the homicide. Investigators are asking anyone who saw Harper's truck after 10:15 a.m. Thursday to contact the Kissimmee Police Department as the investigation continues.
What they're saying:
The sudden violence has deeply shaken the Heather Way neighborhood, where residents say they are no longer taking their peace and quiet for granted.
"That kind of puts us on edge a little bit," said Jason Frink, who lives across the street.
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Frink says the tragedy has served as an immediate wake-up call for the community to look out for one another.
"We were gonna reach out to our neighbors through Facebook to start a neighborhood watch so that way everyone can keep an eye out for each other," Frink said.
What you can do:
Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477) or through www.crimeline.org. Tipsters may be eligible for a reward if their information leads to an arrest.
The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Kissimmee Police Department.