Leander PD sweeps community for answers

LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) - Detectives in Leander are out Tuesday questioning people as they continue to investigate an early February home invasion where two men who broke into a home and tied up the residents.

While police have announced no advancements in the case from two weeks ago, they have said they are "making sure no stone is left unturned."

Capt. Greg Minton said the department is still working the case and that they expect to see some leads emerge when evidence returns from the state crime lab -- though when that will happen is unclear.

Police posted fliers in the neighborhood Feb. 13 where the break-in happened. The flier had the descriptions of two suspects in a December home invasion that happened in the same neighborhood.

And while that home invasion happened just a few doors down in December, police still are not linking that one to February's incident.

"That is something we hope to find out real soon," police posted on the department Facebook page. "We just want to make sure we have our ducks in a row before we post information."

The two men entered the home in the 2400 block of Elkhorn Ranch Road around 7:45 p.m. on Feb. 7 after one of the two residents inside opened the front door.

Armed with stun guns, the men tied up the residents' hands with tape and demanded to know where their safe was. An unknown amount of cash and other items were taken from the home.

The Williamson County Sheriff's Department and Cedar Park police also responded to the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Williamson County Crime Stoppers hot line at 1-800-253-7867, online or by text with "TIP316" plus the message.

It happened just a month and a half after another home invasion happened on that same block on Dec. 21.

And much like the time of day on Feb. 7's incident, Leander police responded in late December between 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. at 2402 Elkhorn Ranch Road.

Police said two men approached the home and knocked on the door, which is when the three children inside answered. That's when the men busted through and put ski masks over their faces.

The first suspect had a stun gun and separated the mother of the children from them, taking her to a different room. He demanded cash and that she tell him where he could find the safe.

During the incident, police said the first suspect identified the second suspect as "Marty."

Both men tied up the victims with duct tape and placed them on the floor. While the men didn't take any cash, they did run off from the home with two of the victims' cellphones.

Leander police said one of the suspects had the word "LOVE" tattooed across the knuckles of his right hand.

Police have not made an arrest in the December case, but they were able to get a description of the men. Composite sketches of both men are attached with this story.

Suspect 1 description

• white man between 20- and 30 years old
• between 5 feet 9 inches tall and 5 feet 11 inches tall
• weighing between 195 pounds and 210 pounds
• light blue eyes
• wore an old, black ski mask and an unknown colored flannel shirt
• underneath the flannel shirt, he wore a dark-colored shirt.
• wore a pair of dark-colored carpenter pants
• dark brown lace-up roper-style work boots
• wore gloves and a beanie

Other characteristics

Suspect has distinct eyebrows, dark blonde to light brown hair that is curled up around the back edge. Suspect has a stocky build and an unshaven face.

This suspect spoke with a country accent and possibly dips tobacco, as odor of tobacco was detected.

Suspect 2, possibly named "Marty"

• white man in his mid- to late 20s
• between 5 feet 9 inches tall and 5 feet 11 inches tall
• weighing 190 pounds
• brown eyes
• wore a light brown cap
• had on a black, hoodie-style sweatshirt
• wore long-sleeved shirt underneath it
• wore dark jeans and a pair of mesh-topped running shoes that were very worn
• wore brown work gloves

Other characteristics

He smelled of gasoline and beer and had large hands. The skin on his hands was dry, and he appeared to either pick at or bite his fingernails.