Police Nab Serial Burglar In South Tulsa

Lori Fullbright, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma-- A crafty burglar is behind bars.  Police arrested Michael Kelley near 81st and Memorial Thursday, after he admitted breaking into a home in the same neighborhood where he broke into another home last week.

Kelley was out on bond for doing the very same thing last month. 

Last month, police say Kelley broke into a house and stole two sets of car keys, then loaded up the victim's computer, watches and gun into their Ford Milan and drove off. Three days later, he brought their car back and stole their other car.

Last week, he broke into a house while the people were sleeping, but they never heard a thing.

Worth and Robbie Clinkscales have their car back after it was stolen last week, when police said Kelley threw a brick through their window while they were asleep, came inside and took Robbie's purse and car keys.

He drove off in their new Prius and they never heard a thing.

"We could not believe that we didn't wake up and the rat terrier didn't wake up. I don't think he even barked," Worth and Robbie Clinkscales said.

Kelley was caught on surveillance with two women, using the stolen cards from Robbie's purse, but of course, they had notified the bank immediately.

The Clinkscales had given up hope of getting their seven-month old vehicle back, but then, when they drove into the neighborhood Thursday afternoon, police officers were everywhere.

"Thought something was happening and I told them, it has something to do with this, I just know it," Robbie said.

She was right, neighbors had called in on a burglar and the K-9 dog had the guy cornered in a creek. He surrendered rather than getting bit. It turned out to be the same guy.

"We've had quite a few burglaries in this area so it's real nice to grab one of them and take them out of commission," Corporal Brian Collum, with the Tulsa Police Department, said.

Police say Michael Kelley confessed to the break-in, then drove detectives to where he'd dumped the Clinkscales' car and even showed them additional places he's burglarized.

They say he told them he has a drug problem and was supposed to go to rehab on Monday, but, he'll be in jail instead.

It's surprising how many victims don't hear someone break in while they're sleeping. And, you can't count on your dog. News On 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright knocked on the Clinkscales' door Thursday, their dog barked like crazy, but never made a sound during the break-in.

They now have an alarm, which they hope will do the trick if there's ever a next time.