Rings Taken In Burglary Returned To Tulsa Woman

By Chris Wright, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Tulsa police arrest three people they believe are responsible for a string of burglaries, and recover some priceless family heirlooms in the process.  Police say this trio may be responsible for as many as 60 recent burglaries.  But, they are in custody, and an elderly woman has her prized possessions back.

"It was very scary. It scared me to death," said Gladys. 

Gladys, who is 87 years old, lives alone and for that reason, she declined to give her full name or have her face shown.  When she returned home from grocery shopping on Monday, she discovered her home had been broken into.  Several guns and all of her jewelry were missing.

"I've lived here since ‘52, and this is the worst thing that's ever happened to me, since this was built," said Gladys.

Her husband passed away 16 years ago.

The thieves took some of the few mementos she has to remember him by including her wedding band and engagement ring.

"It really hurt when we found out they had taken them. We know how much it means to her," said Gladys' daughter, Betty Dupree.

The family held little hope of recovering the rings, but on Tuesday, Tulsa police arrested three people.   

They say James Jonson, Deadrea Lemoine and Deserae Lemoine are responsible for that burglary, and at least ten others.  Gladys' rings were traced to a pawn shop, and Thursday afternoon, they were returned to their rightful owner.

"I'm very lucky that they found them. I didn't ever expect to get them back," said Gladys.

"We thought we'd never see the rings again, so we were absolutely astounded," said Gladys' daughter, Betty Dupree.

It became a happy ending for a family that did not expect to have one.

Police say the pawn shop employees did help them track down the alleged burglars, but they did still charge Gladys $200 to get her own rings back.