TPD News

Crime of the Week, 08/29/07

CRIME TYPE: Assault

DATE: 07-24-2007

TIME: 1:10 AM

LOCATION: 519 N. Sheridan Road

VICTIM: Female

SYNOPSIS: On July 24th 2007 at about 1:10 AM a female stopped at the Quick-Trip located at 519 N. Sheridan Road and went inside to purchase some items. When she returned to her vehicle she discovered a black male inside her vehicle removing her portable GPS system. The victim got out of her vehicle and went inside the store to call police. The victim went back outside to attempt to get the license plate number of the suspect’s vehicle. The black male confronted the victim and she then went back into the store. The victim was followed into the store and was first assaulted by a black female. The black male who had been in the victim’s vehicle entered the store and started assaulting the victim. A second black female entered the store and attempt to stop the assault. This female was associated with the two other subjects. The suspects were seen leaving in a Silver or Gold Jeep Cherokee.

Uniform Options Increase for Officers

On November 4, 2005, the Tulsa Police Department transitioned uniforms to traditional navy blue. While several factors were present when the decision was made to change uniforms, an important aspect has always been the availability of various optional items that were available.

According to Uniform Coordinator John Hoehner: "We were always limited in what kind of options we could get in our previous uniform. Our officers typically had one option and that option was just one uniform. The transition to navy blue uniforms has given us a tremendous opportunity to expand the options that our officers have available to them."

Several units have been in specific uniforms that assist them in their duties. The Canine Unit began wearing a cotton blended uniform with pockets that assisted them in their duties. Other specialty units gave followed.

Chief David Bostrom approved a Class B Utility Uniform for all patrol officers. While the appearance looks similar, the lighter material has some officers applauding the decision. Chief Bostrom was asked by patrol officers to consider the option and following a recommendation from the department’s uniform committee, the optional uniform was approved by Chief Bostrom in July.

Crime of the Week, 08/22/07

CRIME TYPE: Fraud / Robbery

DATE: 07-23-2007

TIME: 12:30 PM

LOCATION: 6900 East Admiral Place – 207 South Memorial Drive

VICTIM: Female

SYNOPSIS: Just after noon on July 25TH 2007 a lady was approached by two suspects, one male and one female, in a parking lot located East of Sheridan on Admiral. The suspects pretended to need help and told the victim that they had a bar of gold to sell her. The victim initially agreed to buy the gold, which was bogus and withdrew the money from her bank to make the purchase. The victim then agreed to give the female suspect a ride to Wal-Mart, located at 207 South Memorial Drive. At this point the victim changed her mind about the purchase. The female suspect then robbed the victim of her money, threatening to hurt her and her small children if she did not cooperate. The female suspect was described as being Hispanic in her late 30’s to early 40’s, about 5’ tall and weighing approximately 160-200 pounds. She had gaps in her front teeth; a lazy left eye and her eyebrows were tattooed on. The male suspect was described as Hispanic between 45-55 years old. He was about 6’-6’3” in height and weighed approximately 165 pounds, had salt and pepper hair, a moustache and a mole on his left cheek next to his nose. The suspects were driving a silver 4-door vehicle.

Call Officer Scott Walton
Crime Stoppers 596-COPS
Spanish Line 596-7000

Crime of the Week, 08/15/07

^{CRIME TYPE: Homicide}

^{DATE: 05-26-2007
          
TIME: Unknown}

^{LOCATION: 3224 East 47th Place}

^{VICTIM: Margaret Kay Pope}

^{SYNOPSIS: Homicide Detectives need your help in solving a homicide. On May 26, 2007 Tulsa Police responded to 3224 East 47th Place to investigate a death. When officers arrived they discovered the victim Margaret Kay Pope lying dead on her living room floor. A relative of the victim had attempted to contact the victim by telephone several times on this date. After not being able to contact the victim the relative went to the victim’s residence. Upon entering the residence the victim was discovered deceased inside. Initially it was thought that the victim had overdosed on medication that was found near her body. There were no obvious signs of foul play. The victim’s body was transported to the Medical Examiners Office for further investigation. On July 16, 2007 the State Medical Examiners Office rule the victim’s death a Homicide due to Strangulation.  Homicide Detectives are asking anyone who might have been in the area and seen or heard anything to please contact them.}

Call Officer Scott Walton
Crime Stoppers 596-COPS
Spanish Line 596-7000

Warren Foundation Donation

The Warren Foundation and the River Parks Authority will be donating 5 Police Bicycles to the Tulsa Police Department. These Police Bicycles are especially equipped and built specifically for police duties both on and off road. Making the presentation to the Police Department will be Mr. John Kelley-Warren representing the Warren Foundation, Mr. Matt Myers of the Tulsa River Parks Authority, and Ms. Kristine Stover representing River Parks Friends. Interim Chief David Bostrom, Deputy Chief Mark McCrory, and Major Dennis Larsen will be present to accept the donation. Each Police Bicycle is valued at approximately $1500 making the entire donation to the Tulsa Police Department at approximately $7500. The Police Bicycles will be another tool for officers to utilize in their day to day patrol of the expanding River Parks trails and have proven to be a major asset to officers patrolling special events along the river front such as the recent 4th of July celebration: A Press Conference to present the Police Bikes to the Department will be held at:

At 2 p.m

Uniform Division Southwest
7515 South Riverside Drive
Major Larsen 527-0055

BACK TO SCHOOL

Students are at much greater risk while traveling to and from school than at any other time in their school day. Nationwide about 800 children age 5-18 were killed while traveling by passenger car, on foot, on bicycle and by school bus.

The Tulsa Police Department in cooperation with Tulsa area schools will focus on the opening of School Zones in the Union Public Schools on Thursday August 16^th and the Tulsa Public Schools on Monday August 20, 2007. Special enforcement units will target marked School Zones and streets around many schools as well as School Bus Stops. Motorcycle officers and Traffic Enforcement Units will give special attention to all moving violations near schools and around school buses picking up and dropping off children. Citations that are written in a School Zone are a book to court, no matter the amount over the posted 25-mph.

Starting this week, drivers are encouraged to actively look out for children walking and riding bicycles to and from school, and to be extra cautious around school buses. Parents are also advised to be very careful when dropping off and picking up their children in front of schools.

CONTACT: Officer Craig Murray, Traffic Safety Coordinator, 669-6865 or Pager 643-2163

Officer Scott Walton, PIO, 596-9189

Officer Jason Willingham, PIO, 596-1336

Crime of the Week, 08/08/07

CRIME TYPE: Home Invasion

DATE: 07-26-2007
          
TIME: 3 PM

LOCATION: 2900 East 27TH Street

VICTIM: HomeOwner

SYNOPSIS: Robbery detectives need your help to solve a home invasion where the suspects pretended to be police officers.  Just after 3 PM on 07-26-2007 a suspect knocked on the door of a residence located in the 2900 block of east 27TH Street, he was in plain clothes, but had a silver badge and told the home owner that he wanted to show him some photographs.  The homeowner and his wife allowed the suspect inside their home.  This suspect told them that his partner would be coming in also, the second suspect then entered the home through a back door.  One suspect then forced the wife to the floor and tied her up with zip ties, while the other suspect fought with the male victim.  The suspects demanded money and valuables.  After being assaulted the male victim was able to get free and summon the help of a neighbor, who confronted the suspects.  The suspects then fled in a 90’s maroon /beige Ford pickup truck.  The first suspect was described as a white male 20-30 years old, about 5’10”-6’ tall weighing approximately 170-200 pounds with brown hair.  The second suspect was described the same way, but heavier.

^{Call Officer Scott Walton
Crime Stoppers 596-COPS
Spanish Line      596-7000}

Crime of the Week, 08/01/07

CRIME TYPE: Pointing a Deadly Weapon

DATE: 06-24-2007

TIME: 11:56 AM

LOCATION: 4507 North Peoria Avenue

VICTIM: Dollar Store Employees

SYNOPSIS: Just before noon on 06-24-2007 police were called to The Family Dollar Store located at 4500 North Peoria Avenue in reference to a man with a gun. Employees of the store told officers that they observed a man opening hair care products and asked him not to do so. The suspect then became angry and began to threaten the employees as he was being escorted out of the store, saying that he was going to “smoke” them. As the suspect walked to his vehicle the employees noticed he had items that belonged to the store. When employees attempted to get the suspects tag number he pulled out a black handgun and pointed it at both of the clerks. The suspect was described as a black male 25-30 years old, about 6’ tall, weighing approximately 170 pounds. The suspect was driving a maroon Buick or Cadillac.

Call Officer Scott Walton
Crime Stoppers 596-COPS
Spanish Line 596-7000