Standoff At Owasso Video Store Ends

Officers sprayed pepper spray and tear gas into parts of the shopping center attic to try to get a burglary suspect out, but officers say he's gone.<BR><BR><BR><A href="http://www.newson6.com/global/Category.asp?c=161406&nav=menu682_2_3" target=_blank>Crime Tracker</A> | <A href="http://www.newson6.com/global/category.asp?C=120260&nav=menu682_11_3" target=_blank>Lori's Crime Survival Guide</A>

Tuesday, June 23rd 2009, 7:22 am

By: News On 6

By Craig Day, The News On 6

OWASSO, OK -- An overnight break in prompts a search for an armed suspect and closes several businesses in Owasso. It happened at the Hollywood Video store on 86th Street North, east of Highway 169. Owasso Police arrested one person; however, they didn't find another. They're confident they will.

Just after 4 a.m., a passerby noticed two men breaking into the Hollywood Video store. When Owasso police arrived, they caught one suspect. Police were told a man who ran back inside had a gun.

"Now that we know he's armed, we're going to have to reevaluate our options on how we are going to get him out," said Scott Chambless with the Owasso Police Department.

Owasso PD deployed its tactical team. Meanwhile, businesses in the shopping center were closed.

"Something like that, I care about safety more than I care about the business and my employees, too," said Sam's Café owner Sam Diab.

"We don't want an armed suspect dropping down on an open business so, that's the reason why we have to be as careful as we are," said Owasso PD's Scott Chambless.

Police believed the man was hiding in the attic. They used pepper spray to try to force him out.

"The architecture of the rafter system in this building is making it very difficult for them to safely look where they need to look to see if he's hidden in there somewhere," said Scott Chambless with the Owasso Police Department.

To make it easier, officers used a sewer department camera to look through duct work, attic and walls.

After several hours, they determined the man wasn't inside. They say he may have escaped through the duct work, or out a back door before additional officers arrived.

"We've got enough leads that we'll be able to determine who this individual was and make an arrest at a later time, hopefully, if the investigation works out," said Scott Chambless with the Owasso Police Department.

Officers will step up their presence at the shopping center just in case. The man who was arrested will face burglary, drug, and possibly charges for misleading investigators.

Tulsa County Sheriff's Office and Collinsville Police Department officers were also at the scene.