Authorities Make Arrest In Tulsa-Based Burglary Ring

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK - Detectives have made an arrest in a Tulsa-based burglary ring. Thirty-nine-year-old Jerry Clyde Stephenson Jr. was taken into custody around 7:00 Thursday morning at his West Tulsa home.

Authorities say Stephenson is suspected to be involved in a burglary ring that stole millions of dollars in cash and merchandise.

The arrest came thanks to a joint effort among the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Tulsa County Sheriff's Office and the Tulsa Police Department Burglary Unit.

Stephenson had his first court appearance Thursday afternoon and will remain in custody until he's taken to Arkansas where he's wanted for breaking into a bank.

According to federal court documents, a highly organized burglary ring has targeted banks, automated teller machines and businesses in Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri and Arkansas over the past several years.

In one incident, on October 10, 2008 a burglary was discovered by bank employees in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Video and evidence determined that at least three men entered the bank around 1:30 a.m. and disabled the alarm. Accoring to an affidavit, they used tools to open a cash vault and stole approximately $68,000, along with contents in numerous safety deposit boxes. In one of the safety deposit boxes was a rare $1,000 bill.

The affidavit also reveals that at the time of this burglary, an outside camera captured an image of someone with looked like Stephenson. This person was not wearing a mask.

In October, police seized dozens of items from Stephenson including cash, watches and tools.