Tulsa Police Bring Happy Ending To Crime Victims

By Lori Fullbright, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Finally, a crime beat story with a happy ending. Fred and Norma of Tulsa are in their 70's. After an experience with burglars, she was crying and he was more than angry.

But thanks to some fast work by Tulsa Police, now the couple is all smiles.

The burglary happened when Fred was working at the food pantry, so Norma went home to get the church money to deposit it. That’s when she realized something was very wrong.

"I noticed this gate was open the door was open. When I went in, things are all over the floor and the church money was gone," said Norma.

The burglars left no room untouched. They threw things all over the floors and beds. They dumped drawers, scattered paperwork and helped themselves to jewelry, money - anything they could fit in their pockets.

"Makes you feel bad because you're old, and they don't need to do this do us, you know. I just cried," Norma said.

 After Fred came home, they called police and while one officer was taking their report, other officers were catching some juveniles who ran from a stolen car across a field near McLain with a gun.

"From each one of the juveniles we had in custody, each one had personal items in their pockets that came from this house," said Corporal David Crow of the Tulsa Police Department.

The officers brought it all back, every ring, watch, coin, even the "God Loves You" pamphlets Norma kept in the house.

Fred and Norma are glad to say they feel good after having their property returned.

"Makes you feel proud of these officers. The police force in Tulsa is doing a good job," Fred said.

In addition to the items of value, many sentimental things were returned, including a ring with a saddle on it Norma's had for 65 years. It’s something that she planned to pass on to a grandchild.

"When I was 8 years old, my mom sent off Post Toasties,” said Norma, a victim of burglars. “It was supposed to be Tom Mix's ring, and it's a sterling silver ring."

"To be able to put a smile on their face after something like this, it's kinda neat," said Tulsa Police Cpl.. David Crow.

Unfortunately, the only thing officers didn't find was Fred's shotgun. That was the second group of burglars Tulsa officers had caught in the same day in north Tulsa.