Oologah Burglary Suspect Texts 'I'm Caught' Before Capture

By Dan Bewley and Terry Hood, News On 6

OOLOGAH, Oklahoma -- A team effort helps catch a drugstore burglar in Oologah. Three different law enforcement agencies, a watchful neighbor, and the store owner watching on the Internet all worked together.

We've all seen video of crooks caught on camera, but this is a little different. This accused crook was being watched while he was trying to get away.

"The suspect used a crowbar and broke the glass out right here," said Oologah Police Chief Novale Thompson.

Oologah Police say Larry Berry broke into Trummel's Drugstore early Thursday morning, setting off a chain of events that would soon land Berry in jail.

Across town a security alarm woke up Steve Trummel and his wife.

"This is not the first time that it's happened," said drugstore owner Steve Trummel.

Across the street from the business, a neighbor heard a noise. The neighbor didn't want to be identified, but will be referred to as "Sarah."

"I heard bam, bam," Sarah said.

Sarah heard the commotion, called 911, and went outside with her gun

".357 Magnum," she said.

Officer Jason Czapansky was already on the scene.

"Yeah, I could hear him kicking, banging, throwing stuff," Czapansky said.

What he heard was Berry trying to find a way out. Except what Berry doesn't know is that Steve Trummel's wife is watching the whole thing at home and telling dispatchers.

She saw as Berry as he climbed through the ceiling and tore apart a storage closet looking for an exit.

"Oh it was great," Chief Thompson said. "It was just small town, everybody knows everybody, Everybody helps everybody out."

As it was happening "Sarah" was in the back, watching in case Berry made an escape.

"I think it was awesome," Thompson said. "I mean, she's a pretty gutsy lady."

Berry eventually gave up, made a few phone calls, and sent a text to an alleged accomplice.

"The text message says, 'You might as well go on home, I'm caught,'" said Oologah Chief of Police Novale Thompson.

Police are still looking for the people Berry called and sent the text message to. Berry was arrested one week ago near Fort Smith, Arkansas for also breaking into a pharmacy.