Home Invasion Suspect Impersonated A Detective, Police Say

Thursday, July 26th 2007, 5:55 pm

By: News On 6

Tulsa Police are piecing together a bizarre home invasion robbery. Investigators say the suspects impersonated detectives to gain entry to a midtown Tulsa home. News On 6 anchor Jennifer Loren reports what happened next was not police work.

Bill Hackett says his neighbors, a couple in their 50s, were already robbed once, about six months ago. He suspects that robbery had to do with his neighborâ€™s old coin collection, which he says he never got back.

"They just smashed the front door in and went in and cleaned out his inventory, which included two floor safes, lifted those up and carried them out and that was it," neighbor Bill Hackett said.

Police say it appears that robbery must have led to Thursdayâ€™s robbery at the same house, at the same time of day but months later. Police say one of the suspects, dressed in a suit and tie with a badge, stood on the doorstep and said he was there to investigate the previous robbery. Meanwhile, another suspect was breaking in their other door.

"He had a badge that was similar to our TPD badge. But not really sure if it had any letters on it, words on it, what the words were actually on it,â€ said Tulsa Police Sergeant Stephanie Jackson. â€œLike I said they didn't show any ID showing that they were actually police officers."

Police say one of the suspects hit the husband over the head with something injuring him, though not severely. They used zip-ties restraining the husband and wife's hands behind their backs, then they ransacked the place and took off in a truck, leaving behind a tazer that was never used, said police.

Meanwhile, police are left with a sticky situation, dangerous criminals posing as detectives.

"You know if youâ€™re ever in doubt always call 911 and ask for our commission cards," said Jackson.

Police say they don't believe the suspects were really cops, however they are not ruling out that possibility. The getaway truck is described as a 90s model Ford, maroon over beige, with Oklahoma plates 461-ZPS. If you have any information that could help police solve this crime call Crimestoppers, 596-COPS.

Watch the video: Home Invasion Suspect On The Run