Tulsa Apartment Resident Shoots Armed Intruder

By Ashli Sims, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- A would-be victim turned the tables on an armed robber early Monday morning.

Tulsa Police say a suspected robber strong armed his way into a Tulsa apartment. And that's when the man who lived there grabbed his own and shot the suspect.

Tulsa Police say the 19-year-old suspect broke into the apartment with a gun and left with a gunshot wound. And that's how they found him.

Police say even security gates don't always guarantee security.

It was behind the gates of Wellsford Oaks that police say an armed robber forced his way into a family's apartment.

It started with a 5:30 a.m. knock on the door. Police say a woman answered and the suspect shoved a gun in her face.

Officers say the gunman ordered her to get everyone in the apartment into the bathroom; her husband was still in bed.

"The victim was then getting up, he was forced to go into the bathroom, but he was able to grab a blanket to wrap around and while doing so he grabbed his pistol, unbeknownst to the suspect and entered the bathroom," said Officer Brett Bilyeu.

Officers say the resident shot the suspect through the bathroom door. And the suspect took off.

According to police reports, about an hour later a man showed up to OSU Medical Center with a gunshot wound. Melvin Dan, 19, was identified by the victims and arrested.

"Especially at odd hours of the night," Officer Bilyeu said. "If you're not sure who it is and you're not expecting someone, don't answer the door."

The three people at home, the man, his wife and his little brother, were not hurt.

This isn't Melvin Dan's first brush with the law. He is out on bond with two ongoing criminal cases. He's accused of pointing weapon in one and assault and battery with a deadly weapon in the other.