Tulsa Police Investigate String Of Home Invasions

Tara Vreeland, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Tulsa Police continue to investigate what they are calling a string of home invasions.

The latest happened Monday night in the 2100 block of East Oklahoma Place. Three men attacked a pregnant woman and tied her and two others up with rope.

1/3/2011 Related Story: Pregnant Woman Attacked In Tulsa Home Invasion

The woman, who is five months pregnant, was taken to the hospital but is back home. Mom and baby are okay and so are the other people who were tied up. But they are on edge and police are on the hunt.

Paul Johnson is changing his ways since his neighbors were attacked in a home invasion on Monday night.

"He's a good neighbor. I've lived here for 19 years and this has never happened," Johnson said. "Nothing."

He didn't hear anything when three men broke into the home next door.

"No I was sleeping," he said. "And the fox I'm raising in the house, a baby, jumped up on the sink. I saw and it caught my attention so I thought I'd better check it out."

Police say the woman thought a family member was coming home when she heard the door open. Instead, three men came in and took her and two others hostage.

"One of the suspects just maliciously punched her in the stomach," Sergeant Dave Walker, Tulsa Police, said. "When she went down, they continued to assault her that way, which is an unnecessary attack on a complying victim."

Police say two others were held at gunpoint. They were not hurt but Sergeant Dave Walker said they could have been.

"Obviously we're dealing with someone who probably wouldn't be afraid to shoot you," he said.

Sergeant Walker said the robbers got away with electronics. It's a crime that's leading them to look at these as a string of home invasions: at least six since mid-December.

"Not all of them are exactly the same," he said. "But when they start tying their victims up, that usually gives you a signature that isn't done on every home invasion. It's a little unusual for them."

While police continue to investigate, Johnson says he'll keep his gun on him and hopes police will get a hold of those responsible.

"Kicking a pregnant woman in the stomach," he said. "I go to Vietnam to defend this country and look what happens. Right under my nose while I was sleeping."

Police say most of the home invasions happened in North and East Tulsa.  One suspect in the latest case had a semi-automatic pistol with a laser sight.

If anyone knows anything, call Crime Stoppers at 596-COPS. You can remain anonymous.