Subject arrested in armed robbery investigation

The following is a press release from the Klamath Falls Police Department.

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - On February 15, 2022, at approximately 7:44 PM,  Mexico Video, at 1042 East Main Street, was robbed by a male who fled the scene with stolen cash and other items after pointing what appeared to be a handgun at the store employees.

Basin Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team (BINET) Detectives, KFPD Officers, Klamath County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) Deputies, and Klamath County Community Corrections Officers, were able to link the suspect to this Robbery and other crimes.

Investigators identified the suspect as Austin James Carpenter (29 years of age).  BINET Detectives located Mr. Carpenter at his residence in the 1500 Block of Madison Street. After a short standoff, the Klamath Falls Police Department SWAT team safely took Mr. Carpenter into custody without incident.

BINET, KFPD,  KCSO,  and the Oregon State Police served a search warrant at the suspect’s residence.  Evidence items related to the Robbery, as well as additional stolen items were recovered during the search warrant service, helping solve several burglaries, Klamath Falls businesses’ smash and grab thefts, vehicle break-ins, and identity theft cases where theft victim’s credit cards were used in local stores. 

Residual amounts of controlled substances were also located during the search.

Austin Carpenter was lodged at the Klamath County Jail for charges of Robbery in the First Degree, Burglary in the First Degree, numerous counts of Theft in the First Degree, Theft in the Second Degree, Menacing, Identity Theft, Criminal Mischief, and Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle. Additional charges are forthcoming, and the cases are still under investigation.

BINET is an interagency narcotics team comprised of Oregon State Police and Klamath Falls Police Department Detectives.

Anyone with information regarding this case, theft crimes, and the distribution of drugs within Klamath County is encouraged to call the Klamath Falls Police Department Anonymous Tip Line at (541) 883-5334 or the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at (541) 850-5380.