Burglary Suspect Sneaks Into OKC Homes While Victims Sleep

By Adrianna Iwasinski, News 9 and LaShauna Sewell, News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma City police are hoping surveillance photos will help them catch a suspect who creeps into victims homes in the middle of the night, and snatches credit cards and electronics before making a quiet getaway.

Police say the suspect has burglarized at least two homes in southwest Oklahoma City, one in the 10000 block of Crystal Creek Drive, and the other in the 5900 block of St. James Place. On both occasions, the suspect stole wallets left in cars parked in garages. The stolen credit cards taken from those wallets were used within hours of the burglaries.

"We heard the alarm chirp around 4 a.m.," said Jody Kirtley, whose car and storage shed were broken into July 1. "We had a house full of guests, so we thought it was one of them opening a side door, so we didn't get out of bed to go check out what was going on. We should have!"

Kirtley says both their next door neighbors were also hit while they were sleeping.

"It's unnerving," said Al Johnson, whose car was broken into that same morning. "I didn't hear a thing."

According to one of the police reports, one woman did not realize she had been burglarized  until she was awakened by an early morning call from the bank. Her credit card had been used to make some big purchases that morning. In a phone interview, she told News 9 it was not until she got up and left her bedroom that she discovered her front door open, and several items -- including a laptop, iPad, and credit cards -- missing from her house and car.

Police have obtained surveillance video from a Wal-Mart on Highway 152 near Sara Road,  where the suspect used the stolen credit cards to buy several items. Police have released pictures of the suspect, hoping someone will recognize him.

Police also released a photo of what may be the suspect's vehicle. He may have been driving a red Ford Escape or Explorer.

Anyone with information about the suspect is urged to call Crime Stoppers at (405) 235-7300.