Tulsa Homeowners Have Close Encounter With Burglary Suspect

A Tulsa family is warning other homeowners to leave their homes locked and watch about for burglars. The close encounter shocked the family and police are still searching for the suspect.

This is a strange case that involves domestic violence, a meth lab, two people arrested, and another man wanted by police.

The suspect was caught on surveillance tape inside Bryan and Rhonda Whitlock's home.

Before going forward we need to go back to November 30. Police came to the Whitlock's house shortly after Brian Stewart and Crystal Cunningham were arrested at a nearby home.

The divorced couple began fighting when Stewart found Cunningham and her boyfriend making meth.

Investigators say the boyfriend is Jimmy Cargill and was caught on videotape after he took off and, police say, broke into the Whitlock's home.

The Whitlocks think he came in after climbing up the back porch and finding the only unlocked door in the house. The couple's security system was not armed.

"I mean I feel I'm the protector and I failed my job that night," Bryan Whitlock said.

Rhonda Whitlock's close encounter happened when she went to her garage. 

"I was right here at this bag, I haven't moved anything, I was right here at this bag going through stuff when he came in and shut that door," Rhonda explained.

The man was half dressed and his face was bleeding. He had hidden a ten inch knife in another room but Rhonda Whitlock didn't know that and was terrified.

Somehow she got away and called police. She says the experience has changed her life.

"And so it feels like you've become a prisoner in your own home because of all the people that are out there that are bad...you know, evil people," she said.

The Whitlocks hope others learn from them and take the time to double check their doors and windows at night.

"People say, 'Well, I've got a gun up in my room.' But that doesn't help if you're out in the garage so it's keep people out by sitting alarms, keeping doors locked," Bryan Whitlock said.

The Whitlock's say they're having a hard time sleeping at night since they know the suspect is still out there.

If you know where Jimmy Cargill can be found, call Crime Stoppers at (918)-596-COPS.