Tulsa Man Arrested In Robbery Of Bama Pie Employee

A Bama Pie employee was the victim of a strong-arm robbery early Thursday morning, Tulsa police said.

Just before 3 a.m., a woman and a male-coworker were on a smoke break outside the business located at 2745 East 11th Street. The woman said she was approached by a man, later identified as Matthew Steeves, 22, who asked for a cigarette. She gave him a cigarette, but after taking it, he sat down very close to her, an arrest report said.

The woman's co-worker suggested they go back inside, and when they turned to leave, Steeves attacked the woman from behind and attempted to grab her cell phone. The woman told police Steeves "wrapped his arm around her neck and began to choke her and pull her backwards," according to the report.

The male co-worker came to her aid, police said. As he was trying to pull Steeves off the woman, the woman punched Steeves, the report said.

Steeves was able to wrangle loose and run off. Security officers at Bama chased Steeves, but lost him in the neighborhood, TPD said.

A Tulsa Police K-9 officer and his partner, Sarge, found Steeves hiding in bushes in the 2200 block of East 8th Street.

Steeves was arrested for first-degree robbery by force and is also being held on a resting arrest complaint.

Bond on the two complaints is $50,500.