Police Tracking Home Invasion Suspects

By Lori Fullbright, News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Tulsa's robbery detectives are tracking the men who've committed 10 home invasions in the past week. Three of those happened Sunday night.

The target area is Archer to Pine, Harvard to Sheridan and the all the victims are Spanish speaking.

In each case, the robbers are tall, skinny black men who are 18 to 20-years-old and have their faces covered with masks or bandanas. Each time, they claim police sent them.

Martha and her family were victims of a home invasion the day before Thanksgiving at 10 a.m. She and her husband were raking leaves, then went inside to tell their daughter they were going to the store.

The glass door was closed, but the main door was open and two men barged inside.

"When I was in the restroom, I heard screams. I got up and when I opened the door, I had a gun at my head," said Martha.

The men claimed police had told them the family was dealing drugs and demanded drugs and stole cash, gold necklaces, ID cards and a cell phone.

One man hit Martha's husband in the head with the gun.

"Honestly, the fear wouldn't let me think. I was just praying, asking God they would just leave and not hurt us," said Martha.

Martha's neighbors were hit the next day, money, jewelry and a phone stolen and the man of the house, hit in the head with a gun.

When that man got a new cell phone, he received a picture and several text messages from people who thought they were communicating with the robber.

Police say these attacks are brazen and not well planned.

"We're just one gunshot away from being a homicide. We don't want it to go there, let's stop it right now. Somebody knows who they are and they're not well liked by everybody, so give us a call," said TPD Sgt. Dave Walker.

Martha lives in fear of another robbery, but has several reasons to be thankful.

"I thank God that day I was alive, because the day that happened to me, it was my birthday," said Martha.

About three years ago, there was another string of home invasions targeting Spanish speaking families. Many of those victims worked construction and a co-worker knew when they got paid, so targeted them.

This time, there's no connection between the victims and certainly, no indication of drugs.

Martha told The News On 6 she's been praying for the robbers, that they become better people.