One Dead, One Injured In Attempted Copper Theft Near Calumet

An attempted theft at an oil field in rural Canadian County ends with one man dead and another in critical condition.

According to the Canadian County Sheriff's Office, 30-year-old Steven Ray Cavenee and 22-year-old Michael Paul Cradduck were attempting to steal copper off an oil pump located at 122nd Street N.W. and North Heaston Road near Calumet.

"They became suspects and victims of their own crimes we believe," said Sheriff Randall Edwards with the Canadian County Sheriff's Office. "They were hurt while they were actually boarding or climbing up on the pump itself."

Edwards said the two were crushed when the oil pump started to move. Cavenee called for help.

"He was crawling out from the location to the road when a property owner heard him," said Sheriff Edwards.

The two men were rushed to separate hospitals in Oklahoma City. Cradduck died at OU Medical Center. Cavenee remains in critical condition at Baptist Medical Center. Edwards says both men had extensive criminal records involving burglary and drugs.

"I believe if you continue to make the wrong choices in life, eventually, it's going to catch up with you," Edwards said. "I believe that's what's happened here."

Deputies also found jewelry and other evidence at the site, linking the two men to other burglaries in the area. Edwards says they are also looking for a third suspect, possibly the person who dropped Cradduck and Cavenee off at the oil field.

If Cavenee survives his injuries he will face burglary and attempted theft charges. Both Cavenee and Cradduck were from El Reno.

The oil pump is owned by Quantum Resources. Sheriff Edwards said the pump was not damaged.