TPD Blog

“MAYDAY”

“Stop the speeding on my street – NOW!” is one of the most urgent phone calls fielded by the Tulsa Police Department, the City of Tulsa, and officials nationwide.  With warmer weather ahead, such complaints will only increase, as anxious parents and neighbors fear for the safety of children at play.  That’s why dozens of communities across the country are proclaiming May 1, 2008 “Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 Day”, and raising awareness of the serious problem of speeding and distracted driving on neighborhood streets.

Most people speeding through neighborhoods are residents themselves.  By sounding May Day alert, a call for help in the battle against residential speeding, people will recognize their role in the problem and become part of the solution instead of relying on police and speed bumps alone.

The Tulsa Police Department is concerned with this nationwide need and will always remain on alert to assist with the public’s request for assistance.  The City of Tulsa can help provide signage for neighborhoods on promoting KEEP KIDS ALIVE Drive 25 program.  For more information on this and traffic calming for neighborhoods, log on to  www.cityoftulsa.org and click on the Community Programs and scroll down to Drive 25.

Safety seminar slated at Hale

By SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer
4/27/2008

It will focus on neighborhood services and drunken driving.

The parent-teacher organization at Nathan Hale High School is sponsoring a community seminar Tuesday to bring together organizations that help keep Tulsa neighborhoods safe.

The seminar is meant for anybody concerned about neighborhood safety, but organizers hope that parents from Hale's particularly big Hispanic population will find the seminar useful.

"We really just want to get the word out, especially for that group," said Cindy Rutledge, a seminar organizer.

Information will be available in Spanish, and representatives from the Hispanic Resource Center at Martin Regional Library will be present.

Bringing together more than 20 service organizations at the same place and time will show the community what services are available and give information about how to get help, Rutledge said.

"That way, ignorance wouldn't be part of the issue," she said.

With the approach of prom season, the event also will present the dangers of drunken driving. Storey Wrecker Service will demonstrate the "jaws of life," a gadget that opens gaps in wrecked cars to allow the rescue of people inside, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving will have information available.

Rutledge said she hopes teenagers will pay particular attention to that part of the seminar.

"If that demonstration, just out there in the parking lot, saves one teen, then we've done our job," she said.

Several organizations joining in

What: “Safety in the Family, Neighborhood and Community” seminar

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Nathan Hale High School, 6960 E. 21st St.

Cost: Free

Organizations involved: Tulsa Fire Department

Tulsa County Sheriff’s Department

Tulsa Park and Recreation Department

Tulsa Police Department

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Emergency Medical Services Authority

Hale High School Safety Team

Community Service Council Neighborhood Watch

Citizens Alert Patrol

Working in Neighborhoods Department

Helpline

American Red Cross

East Tulsa Prevention Coalition

Oklahoma Safe Kids

Martin Regional Library

Storey Wrecker Service

For more: Call 925-1200.

Shannon Muchmore 581-8378
shannon.muchmore@tulsaworld.com

Random crime is rare

By NICOLE MARSHALL World Staff Writer
4/23/2008

Still, there are ways in which you can help protect yourself from such crimes.

Following a fatal home-invasion robbery early Tuesday, authorities said most home-invasion robberies in the Tulsa area are not random.

Victims are often targeted because of some sort of dispute or association, their investigations show.

In the Tuesday morning robbery, Frederick Anthony Wilson appears to have been targeted because the robbers had "some sort of knowledge" that he had money inside the home, Tulsa County deputies said.

Based on preliminary evidence, Sheriff's Office investigators don't believe that he was a random target, Capt. John Bowman said.

Investigators also believe his attack was unrelated to a home-invasion robbery in Tulsa this weekend, Bowman said.

Tulsa police are continuing to investigate the Sunday morning robbery at a home in the 2200 block of East 23rd Street, Officer Jason Willingham said.

In that unusual case, police think the bandits targeted a family whom they did not know after posing as tree trimmers to case their neighborhood.

No one was injured during that robbery.

Wilson, 25, was fatally shot during a robbery inside a home in the 4000 block of West 45th Place about 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, Bowman said.

He was in the living room of the home with his girlfriend when two masked men suddenly appeared from the back of the house.

The couple were initially unsure how the men entered the residence, he said, but investigators said they might have entered through a back window or door.

The intruders tied the couple up and put bedding over their heads. Bowman said they demanded money, but when they received some, they demanded more.

"The woman said she heard a shot and then heard the men go through the house to the garage," Bowman said. "She stayed still until she did not hear any sounds and then managed to slide the bindings off her feet and went out the front door and ran to a neighbor's house."

The assailants were described as two black men of average build who were slightly less than 6 feet tall. One man was wearing a camouflage mask; the other was wearing a black mask.

Wilson had convictions for rape by instrumentation, attempted rape by instrumentation and helping a minor engage in sexual acts, records show.

His death was the second homicide in unincorporated Tulsa County this year.

Tulsa police records show that 30 residential robberies in which some sort of weapon was used have been reported in the Tulsa city limits during the first three months of the year.

Seventeen strong-armed residential robberies -- where force rather than a weapon was used -- have occurred during the same time period.

In 2007, 132 residential robberies involving a weapon were reported in Tulsa, and 99 strong-armed residential robberies were reported, the records show.

But the majority of residential robberies in the area result from some sort of dispute, or the robbers targeted the victims through some sort of association, authorities said.

"Home invasions can be a difficult crime to investigate simply because a lot of times the person who is the victim in the home invasion does want to say that they had some previous dealings with whoever may have robbed them," Willingham said.

Confronting the occupant of a home increases criminals' risk, as compared with breaking into an unoccupied home.

So it stands to reason that home-invasion robbers typically have some sort of personal dispute or motivation to risk targeting a home's occupants, police said.

Still, Willingham said it is important that people make it as difficult as possible for any sort of intruder to enter a home. Everyone can increase safety through home security, he said.

"Obviously, a home that is an easier target is more likely to get hit," Willingham said.

"Take all the necessary precautions, such as making sure your house is well-lit; lock your windows and doors; and try not to talk about valuables that you might have in your home."

Nicole Marshall 581-8459
nicole.marshall@tulsaworld.com

To help

Anyone with information about the robberies is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 596-COPS. Tulsa robbery detectives can also be reached by e-mail at robbery@ci.tulsa.ok.us.

By NICOLE MARSHALL World Staff Writer

Governor signs bill to expand 'peeping Tom' law

By ANGEL RIGGS World Capitol Bureau
4/19/2008

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Gov. Brad Henry signed a bill Friday that expands the state's "peeping Tom" law to include the use of electronic equipment to capture images of private areas of unsuspecting people.

Tulsa Police Sgt. Gary Stansill said the action "sends a good, clear message to future perpetrators that this kind of behavior won't be tolerated. Whereas they may have gotten by with it in the past, that won't be the case in the future."

The law not only will help law enforcement authorities keep up with the times but also with the "ingenu ity that offenders come up with," Stansill said.

"We have to match that, and this law does that," he said.

House Bill 2606 was sponsored by Rep. Pam Peterson, R-Tulsa. It passed both chambers of the Legislature unanimously. The bill makes it a misdemeanor to use photographic, electronic or video equipment in a clandestine manner to view or capture an image of a person's private areas without the person's consent.

The law, which goes into effect Nov. 1, applies in both public and private places.

People convicted under the law would face as much as one year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Peterson said, "It's a bill that has caught up with technology."

She said the law is patterned after the federal voyeurism act.

Tulsa has had several recent cases that would have been affected by the law.

A charge was dismissed last year against a man who was arrested for taking photographs of a 16-year-old girl at a Target store by situating a camera underneath her skirt.

The courts ruled that he did not violate the law because the statute limited violations to incidents that occurred in usually private areas, such as locker rooms, restrooms, tanning booths and homes.

A felony charge was dismissed Monday against a man who was accused of using his cell phone to try to take a picture under a woman's dress at a Sand Springs grocery store.

Angel Riggs (405) 528-2465
angel.riggs@tulsaworld.com

Copyright Tulsa World 2008. All rights reserved. Format differs from original publication.

Crime by the numbers

Police and residents fight neighborhood offenses by learning from what goes on in their ZIP codes.

It's no secret that violent crime has plagued Scotty Mays' neighborhood.

But he says the good news is that it's getting better, thanks to some concerned residents and businesses.

Mays has lived near Independence Street and Peoria Avenue in the Crutchfield neighborhood for the last 14 years.

The neighborhood falls within the 74106 ZIP code, an area that recent police statistics show has had the most incidents of violent crime in the city.

Police and crime-victim advocates say reducing the amount of crime in an area starts with recognizing that a crime problem exists there. The next step is doing something about it.

Last year the city began an improvement project in Crutchfield. A spate of homicides in the area last year further motivated residents and businesses to take action.

''Just a couple years ago, this neighborhood was lousy. But the business owners got together with a lot of the neighbors who were tired of it and took an active role in making changes,'' Mays said.

''It does not start out with every person in the neighborhood. It starts out with a few and spreads.''

Crime by ZIP code

The Tulsa World analyzed crimes reported to police from Jan. 1, 2007, through March 31, 2008, and ranked Tulsa's ZIP codes by violent and nonviolent crimes.

The nonviolent crime category includes larceny, burglary and auto theft. The violent crime category includes homicide, rape, robbery and assault.

Tulsa Police Officer Jason Willingham noted that when crime rates are examined within certain boundaries, it is important to consider the density and type of businesses and residences there.

For example, the ZIP code with the highest number of nonviolent crimes was 74133 -- a large area that includes Woodland Hills Mall and the dense retail district along 71st Street near Memorial Drive and Mingo Road.

The ZIP code with the second-highest number of nonviolent crimes was 74135, which includes the Tulsa Promenade mall and is roughly bounded by 31st and 61st Streets from Harvard Avenue to Sheridan Road.

Crimes such as larceny, which includes shoplifting, and auto theft can be expected to be higher in those retail areas, Willingham said.

''It is not unusual for criminals to go to an area where they have the most opportunity to commit crimes,'' he said. ''That does not necessarily mean that is where they live.''

The 74106 ZIP code -- where Mays lives -- is roughly bounded by Admiral Boulevard to the south, 46th Street North to the north and Elwood and Lewis avenues to the west and east.

Wanted: Shooting Suspect John Williams

Tulsa Police are looking for a man suspected of shooting a person in the leg Tuesday night.

Tulsa Police responded to a shooting in the 7100 block of South Utica Avenue about 7:45 p.m. The victim told them the suspect, 18-year-old John Williams, had already left the scene.

Williams is described as Hispanic, about 6 feet tall and 160 pounds with long hair. He was last seen wearing a white long-sleeved shirt and jeans.

Anyone with information regarding Williams' whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 596-COPS. Callers can remain anonymous and may be rewarded for providing information that leads to an arrest.

Police Officer Fed Up With Repeat Offender

A Tulsa Police officer is fed up with a repeat offender who keeps getting arrested, getting out of prison early and committing new crimes.  The News On 6's crime reporter Lori Fullbright reports the officer has kept quiet for nine years, but says he must now speak out about this revolving door justice.

When you hear the story, it's so outrageous, you think, how could it be true?  But, it is and it makes you realize, if the system won't do the right thing for a police officer, what does that mean for the rest of us?

Officer Tim O'Keefe has had a busy career at Tulsa Police Department, but it all changed in 1999 when he had to fight a suspect, who was high on PCP, who stepped on and crushed Officer O'Keefe's neck.

"I've been in a lot of fights down here,  never been able not to finish a fight. Third time I tried to get up, that was it, like an electrical charge down my spinal column, nothing working, nothing functioning, I'm done," said Tulsa Police Officer Tim O'Keefe.

O'Keefe needed two major spinal surgeries, where they first shaved bones off his pelvis to replace his destroyed discs, then added titanium pins to his spine and voicebox.  He had to learn to walk again and spent much of the following four years on extended leave.
   

Right after the attack, the suspect, Marcus Taylor, was let out of jail and was arrested for drugs.

Five months after the attack, he got a five-year sentence for the attack, but was released just 90 days later and the revolving door began.

The same month he was released, Taylor was arrested on warants.

A month later, he was out, high on PCP, fighting with officers and was arrested for drugs.

Three months after that, he was sent back to prison and was supposed to stay there until 2007.  But, in 2004, he was released and arrested for drugs and guns and sent back to prison where he was supposed to stay until 2009.

But, in January  of 2007, he was released and arrested for assault.  Marcus Taylor stayed in prison less than a year and got released in December of 2007.

A month later, he was arrested on more warrants.  But, was out again last month, high on PCP and arrested for exposing himself at a Tulsa apartment complex.
       

O'Keefe has never once been notified when Taylor was released, as victims are supposed to be and has finally had enough.

"I kept quiet, thought it's part of the system, part of the game, what I signed up for, but to see this on and on, see him committing more crimes, put him in jail again and again and again. There's got to be a stop to it," said Tulsa Police Officer Tim O'Keefe.

Source: KOTV

Beware of Disappearing Ink Scam

Disappearing Ink Scam Arrives In Oklahoma

Tulsa police are investigating a recent rash of check frauds where the person writing the checks, used disappearing ink.  The News On 6's crime reporter Lori Fullbright reports one business is making sure customers use the store's pen to write a check.

The Wonder Bread thrift store last week has a sign that reads, "You must fill out your checks with our ink pens."

Below that, it says, no out of state checks or driver's licenses, which are also a part of the scam.  Wonder Bread declined a request from The News On 6 for an interview, but Tulsa Police say the store has been a victim of a customer using disappearing ink to fill out checks.

"The consumer will actually write a check, you'll look at it, everything looks good, but they've used invisible ink, which means a couple of hours later, that ink has disappeared off the check and the business is left with a blank check and the merchandise has walked out the door," said Rick Brinkley with the Tulsa Better Business Bureau.

You can find disappearing ink pens for sale all over the web.  One even gives some options; the ink can disappear in a few hours, a few days, even a week.  They say it's for protection when you write highly personal letters or top secret business letters.

The concept is the same as this disappearing ink purchased at a magic shop.  You squirt it and it looks like you've made a mess, but the truth is, once the ink is exposed to the air, a chemical reaction happens and the ink evaporates, much like water.

All that is fine for practical jokes, but it's much more serious when someone is using the ink to commit felony fraud, which is what's happening.

One give-away is the ink often has a red or pink tint to it.

The only real protection against it is to do what the Wonder Bread store is doing.  That is make people use pens the store provides.

"They shouldn't be offended by it.  They've gotta realize the business is doing what it can to protect itself and at the same time, protect us from prices going up," said Rick Brinkley with the Tulsa Better Business Bureau.

One fraud detective says if stores require you to use their pen, they should offer you a gel pen instead of a regular ball point pen.  That prevents a store employee from later washing the check and removing your ink and committing fraud against you.

Source: KOTV

Ausgezeichnet! German Police Share Tactics

German tactical officers train with BA, Tulsa police

BROKEN ARROW -- In sharing some of their respective tactics and knowledge this week, special operations police officers from Germany are establishing lasting ties with area police, officers said.

Members of the Broken Arrow and Tulsa police departments' special operations teams are participating in a five-day training course at Broken Arrow's Police and Fire Training Center.

They are joined by Norbert Tannert, a commander of the Dusseldorf, Germany, police special operations team, and Christoph Glossat, a member of the team.

Officials say the goal is to enable the Germans and the Oklahomans to benefit from each other's experiences in the field.

"When you compare the tactics between teams, there's always something you can fit into your work," Tannert said. "Everybody has experience the others don't have. We do this a lot in Germany. We have good connections to different teams."

Capt. Heath Arning, who oversees training and special operations for the Broken Arrow department, said the local officers are learning new skills from the Germans in defense against knife attacks, for example.

"Our guys have really had their eyes opened on how ill-prepared we were for certain (assault) styles like in-close knife attacks -- things we don't commonly deal with, but which we could," Arning said.

Broken Arrow Police Chief Todd Wuestewald met the Dusseldorf officers last year while he was in Germany to deliver a speech.

Wuestewald "wanted us to start talking," Arning said. "He gave me Norbert's e-mail, and we've been talking back and forth, and that's how we got this set up."

Seven members of Broken Arrow's special operations team will travel to Dusseldorf in September to participate in a special operations competition against teams from around the world, Arning said.

"We do a lot of (special operations) training here, but this is the first time we've brought in anyone from abroad," he said.

Glossat, who has been in his unit for eight years, said he is enjoying his time with the Oklahomans.

"It's always important to see what other units do, wherever they are," he said. "We can learn from each other." That includes learning about each other's cultures. Arning said, "I told them: 'You're in Oklahoma. Everyone owns a gun.' "

Germany has much stricter gun-control laws than the U.S. does, but Tannert said that doesn't mean that his unit doesn't face many guns. "The bad guys still have access to firearms," he said, "and usually the (special operations) team is called only when there's an armed assailant."

Tim Stanley 581-8385
tim.stanley@tulsaworld.com

Source: Tulsa World

Shooting Suspect Arrested in 'City of Brotherly Love'

Philly police nab Tulsa shooting suspect

Austin Jamal Duncan

By MATT BARNARD, World Staff Writer

A teenage homicide suspect is behind bars after being arrested nearly 1,300 miles away in Philadelphia, Pa.

Austin Jamal Duncan, 17, was arrested late Monday night in connection with the shooting death of another Tulsa man, Philadelphia homicide detective Michael Cahill said.

A group of U.S. Marshalls and local detectives arrested Duncan without incident as he arrived at a bus station in Philadelphia. The lawmen had been contacted by authorities in Tulsa and were expecting Duncan, who was traveling alone, Cahill said.

"It was a no frills kind of thing," he said. "We went out and snatched this boy."

Tulsa police issued a felony arrest warrant for Duncan on Monday after the weekend murder of Joshua Jordan, 22.

Jordan was outside the Park Plaza Apartments near 51st Street and Sheridan Road when he was shot multiple times, witnesses said. The gunman got into a blue or green Chevrolet Cavalier occupied by several people and left. The shooting was Tulsa's seventh homicide this year.

Duncan is being held without bond in Philadelphia as a fugitive and will have an extradition hearing in three to ten days, Cahill said. After the hearing he will be sent back to Oklahoma. Detectives aren't sure why Duncan fled to Philadelphia. It is unclear if he has family in the area, Cahill said.

Source: Tulsa World

Tulsa Police Promotes Two Leaders

The Tulsa Police Department proudly announces the promotion of two of its leaders.

Captain Steven Bayles was promoted to Major.

Sergeant Shawn King was promoted to Captain.

The promotion ceremony was held Monday, April 7, 2008, at 0800 hours at the Tulsa Police Training Division.

QT Robber Sought...

Police Look For Suspected QT Robber

Police need help to catch a crook who held up a local QuikTrip.  This is a tough one, because officers don't have much to go on.  News On 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright reports the robbery happened at the QuikTrip at 215 North Garnett Road nearly two months ago on January 15th at 3:55 a.m.

"Detectives really have nothing in this case, hoping someone has talked about it," said TPD Officer Leland Ashley.

The robber went into the store with a black semi-automatic pistol, pointed it at the attendant and demanded money.  After he got the money, he left with no get-away car and no partner.

"He's 5'8", 130-140 pounds, wearing a black hoodie, black ski mask and dark pants," said Officer Ashley.

Anyone with information can call Crimestoppers at 596-COPS.  You don't have to give your name and if your tip leads to an arrest, the Citizens Crime Commission will pay you a cash reward through a secret code system.

Source: KOTV

Call the Police!: How to Respond to Crime...

Crime happens.  It’s an adverse part of society even though nobody wants crime—and nobody wants to be a victim of crime. 

However, if you’re ever an unfortunate victim or a witness, how you respond can make a big difference. Keep these safety tips in mind.  Review them every now and again and try to remind yourself about how to respond.

SAFETY TIPS

• Call 911--IMMEDIATELY!  Don't wait! The longer you wait, the longer it will take to get help--and the suspects will have more time to get away.
• Remain calm and try not to panic.
• Get details: try to remember the appearance and clothing of the suspect(s), license plates, etc.
• Write down the details, if you don't have a pen and paper, use loose dirt, or even just your finger on a car window (the oils from your finger can leave a streak).
• When calling the police, tell them your name, where you are, and your phone number.
• Also be prepared to tell police briefly what happened, who did it, if they are still there or if they left and how (walking, running, driving off in a car, etc.)

Calling the police, remaining calm, and providing details can make a big difference in getting help quickly--and making sure suspects don't get away!

For more information, visit the Tulsa Police Department's crime prevention and safety page.

MOST WANTED: Arthur Graves

AKA "Trey"

Birthdate: 11/26/1986
Height: 600
Weight:160

Arthur Graves, nicknamed "Trey," is wanted for a Shooting With Intent to Kill warrant.

On 03/28/2008 Officers were dispatched to 6161 South Yale to investigate a shooting. They found the victim wound with one gunshot wound to the stomach. Graves was identifited as the suspect in the shooting and armed with a 9mm pistol.

Graves is armed and considered dangerous.

Anyone with information about the case should call Crimestoppers at 596-COPS. If the tip leads to an arrest, you'll receive a cash reward.

Burglary Suspects Arrested

Four men have been arrested after Tulsa Police find stolen equipment in their hotel room overnight.

It is believed the four suspects broke into a trailer at Lowrance Electronics.  The burglars stole a generator, some gas cans and other construction equipment.

Around 3:30 a.m., Tulsa Police were called to the America's Best Value Inn in the 1000 block of North Garnett, because of suspicious activity from some guests.

Police officers found the stolen items in the hotel room. 

The suspects are being questioned.

Source: KOTV

11 Indicted for Drug Trafficking

11 indicted on drug charges

By NICOLE MARSHALL World Staff Writer
4/1/2008

They are accused of smuggling illegal substances into Tulsa and the Kansas City area from Mexico. Nine are in custody.

A federal grand jury indictment that was unsealed Monday in Tulsa charges 11 people with conspiracy to distribute large amounts of marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine from Mexico.

The alleged ringleaders, brothers Manuel and Mario Bonilla, also face charges of operating a continuing criminal enterprise in violation of the federal "drug kingpin" law, U.S. Attorney David O'Meilia said.

"This is an extremely large drug-trafficking organization smuggling marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine from Mexico across the border into El Paso (Texas) and then transporting the drugs to Tulsa and other places for distribution," said O'Meilia, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma.

The investigation, called Operation Icepack, spanned more than two years, he said.

Two of the defendants, Manuel Bonilla, 36, and Omar Cruz, 27, are believed to be in Mexico, their home country. The remaining nine defendants are in custody.

They are Mario Bonilla, 23, of Tulsa; Cecilia Lorena Bonilla, 20, of Tulsa; Francisca Bonilla, 63, of Mexico; Michelle Moreno, 27, of Tulsa; Holly King, 29, of Wann; Felix McVay, 51, of Haskell; Selene Soto, 31, of Odessa, Texas; Victor Poras, 36, of Kansas City, Mo.; and Jose Silos, 47, of Mexico.

The indictment alleges that the Bonilla family started smuggling drugs into the United States in about March 2001, primarily through the El Paso area. The drugs were brought into Tulsa and Kansas City, where the organization stored, manufactured and distributed them.

The defendants also are accused of smuggling guns into Mexico, using hidden compartments in vehicles traveling from the United States.

They are accused of using various communication methods, including cellular telephones and pagers, to carry out their operations and of using firearms to protect their drug shipments and cash profits.

The drug-kingpin statute re quires evidence that a defendant organized a drug-trafficking organization involving at least five people who engaged in a series of felonies and made a substantial profit.

Operation Icepack was led by the U.S. Attorney's Office's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. O'Meilia praised the work of agencies involved in the investigation, including the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service's Criminal Investigation Divi sion, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Tulsa Police Department.

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold has been placed on Francisca Bonilla, who is in the Tulsa Jail. The other defendants are either in the United States legally or their status is not yet known, task force attorney Allen J. Litchfield said.

Nicole Marshall 581-8459
nicole.marshall@tulsaworld.com

Source: Tulsa World