Tulsa Man Arrested In Connection To Theft Of $500,000 In Guitars

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- The Tulsa Police Department has arrested a suspect in connection to the theft of $500,000 worth of stolen electronics.

James Michael Bell, 39, was arrested Thursday on two complaints of false declaration of ownership and one complaint each of stolen property and possession of a firearm.

On Tuesday, Bell went to the Golden Pawn II located in the 1300 block of South Peoria Avenue. Bell pawned two Fender guitars for $5,215, according to a police report. Bell claimed to have owned the guitars for four months.

On Wednesday, Bell returned to the same pawn shop with two more Fender guitars, according to police. He received $2,640.

The pawn shop employee became suspicious since the four guitars valued in excess of $150,000.

Police discovered the guitars belonged to Larry Shaeffer, a former owner of Cain's Ballroom. In all, six guitars were stolen and five have been recovered.

Bell also has previous felony convictions for embezzlement, larceny and burglary, among others, according to the arrest report.  His court date is set for April 15th.

Keep checking here for new developments in this story, and News On 6 viewers can watch anchor Craig Day's report on The News On 6 at 6 p.m.

4/8/2010  Related Story: Tulsa County Sheriff Seeks Burglar With Half Million In Electronics