String Of East Tulsa Robberies Has Hispanic Community On Edge

A dozen men have been robbed in East Tulsa in the past several weeks. Police say the crew is getting more violent and they're afraid somebody is going to be killed.

All of the victims are Hispanic men. Detectives say they're being treated like human ATM's at gunpoint. They believe the suspects choose these victims because they're more likely to have cash and less likely to call police.

Jorge Moreno, a 25-year-old electrician, was pulling into his drive-way about 11 at night last Wednesday when four men stopped and made small talk about his truck. Then, one man hit him in the face with the gun and split his lip.

"I was spitting out blood all night, had a hard time getting to sleep that night," Jorge said.

Another man punched him several times. There was a third man in the shadows and a fourth person in the car, possibly a woman.

"They said ‘empty out your pockets,' but I didn't do it. The cops said later, I should've because they could've easily killed me," he said.

He got away and ran to his house and called 911.

Police say Jorge is the most recent victim of many in a short period of time. The area is 21st and Memorial to 129th and 41st streets.

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The suspects are described as young black males, 17 to 22, driving different vehicles.

"They are getting more violent, they have fired off rounds at people in the complexes," said Tulsa Police Sergeant Brandon Watkins.

Most victims were in apartment complexes, but Jorge was pulling up to his house. He hopes the robbers get caught. He's just trying to let go of his anger so he can enjoy the holidays.

"I tried to stay calm about it all because it could drive someone crazy," Jorge said.

Police hope witnesses and even additional victims will come forward.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers. They have Spanish speaking operators and you don't have to give your name.

Police aren't concerned with the legal status of victims. They say the faster you report the crime, the better chance they have of catching the robbers.