Crime & Safety

Suspect Charged In Round Rock's Man's Murder Boasted Of Crime​

Tipster told police Richard Joseph Acosta, 23, of Taylor told him he broke into Joshua Armstrong's home before the killing.​

ROUND ROCK, TX — The man accused of the fatal shooting of a Round Rock resident is said to have boasted of the crime to another person, according to a published report.

Richard Joseph Acosta, 23, of Taylor was charged with murder on Jan. 12 in the Dec. 25 shooting death of Round Rock resident Joshua Armstrong, 37. Vanessa Velasco, 20, also was arrested in connection to the case, and charged with burglary of a habitation.

Since the arrest, more details have been released into the case. The Austin American-Statesman reported that police were tipped off after another man told them on Jan. 12 that Acosta told him of breaking into Armstrong's home before shooting him.

Find out what's happening in Round Rockfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Find out what's happening in Round Rockfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Arrests Made Related To Round Rock Man's Christmas Day Death

The man also told police Acosta arrived at his home two days after the shooting with five firearms taken from Armstrong's home. The tipster told police Acosta wanted to store the guns at the informant's house, according to an arrest affidavit referenced by the Statesman.

Velasco was subsequently arrested at the home where Velasco, his girlfriend, lived with her mother, according to the report. Velasco later acknowledged to police that Acosta had shot Armstrong before taking guns from the home. Velasco said she returned to the scene of the crime, saw Armstrong's lifeless body, and then joined Acosta in taking the dead man's dog, the animal's bedding and toys, a television, vacuum cleaner and some liquor, according to the affidavit.

>>> Read the full story at Austin-American Statesman

Richard Joseph Acosta and Vanessa Velasco booking photos via Williamson County Jail records

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