Tulsa Home Invasion Suspect Nabbed By Police

By Jeffrey Smith, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- A teenager is behind bars after an early Wednesday morning crime spree in north Tulsa.  Police say the teen's responsible for an attempted carjacking and at least two home invasions.

Police say 19-year-old William Ray was a one-man bandit who terrorized a quiet north Tulsa neighborhood. 

It started before the sun came up.  Police say William Ray was first spotted trying to break into a car.  He ran off, but officers say he forced his way into a nearby house.

He then held three people hostage at gunpoint and stole their jewelry, wallets and car keys.  After that, he tried to break into a second home.

Nellie Butler was awake.  The sun was starting to rise.  She was feeding her cats on the patio.  She opened her door to step inside her kitchen.

"And, I looked up, and he had this gun pointed at my face, and he says, ‘where's your money?'" said Nellie Butler.

Butler says when she saw the gun; her only thought was trying not to make the situation worse.

"Stay calm, don't get scared.  Don't panic," said Nellie Butler.

She says the suspect, William Ray, stole her purse which had credit cards and a checkbook, but little cash.  When Ray demanded more, Butler tried to get away.

"I took off down the back step, and he said, ‘I'm going to shoot you.'  And, I said go ahead and shoot. Well, if he's gonna shoot me, I'm running," said Nellie Butler.

Police say Ray ran off.  Butler gave officers, who were already on the lookout, a detailed description.  Ray was arrested three blocks from Butler's home.

Ray faces several felony charges, including burglary, assault and armed robbery.