More Than A Dozen Cars Burglarized In East Tulsa Neighborhood

By Lori Fullbright and NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma -- More than a dozen cars were burglarized early Monday morning in east Tulsa.

The burglaries happened in a neighborhood at 190th East Avenue and 3rd street about 6:30 a.m.

At the time the News On 6 talked with Tulsa Police, officers said five cars were burglarized.  Police later said that number had increased.   A News On 6 crew later counted 16 cars that had been burglarized.

Some of the cars in the neighborhood were unlocked.  Tulsa Police said the suspects stole high-end electronics from the cars, including stereos and GPS units. 

"My husband got up to go to work and came back in and said someone had got into his truck and the lights were on," said Kelly Rice, a resident.  "And I come out and get in mine and mine had been broken into too."

"It appears our suspects were spooked by someone, possibly a trash man and left all of the stolen property in a different location throughout the neighborhood," said Tulsa Police Sergeant Mike Williams.

Now, there's a new twist to the crime... guns. Many people have permits to carry concealed weapons, but many places don't allow guns inside, so the person leaves it in the car.

"The people that are losing these guns are good people, people who've gone through background checks, people who deserve to carry these guns," Williams said. "The people getting a hold of them are people you don't want to have them."

Police found some of the stolen property in residents yards and under bushes.  Officers were able to return the items to the residents. 

One resident told the News On 6 crime has never been a problem in the neighborhood, but she didn't want to take any more chances.

"We're going to get a neighborhood watch together and we're going to start watching each other's property," said Dana Cole.  "So all you thugs, beware."

As a reminder, officers encourage homeowners to take any items of value out of your car, including your purse, iPod, GPS, and garage door opener.  Police also urge residents to keep your car doors locked.