AX robbery suspect extradited to Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The suspect in a series of ax robberies and other offenses has been returned to Oklahoma following his arrest in Arkansas, authorities said. <br><br>Wright Barnard Raynor, 24, was

Monday, July 9th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The suspect in a series of ax robberies and other offenses has been returned to Oklahoma following his arrest in Arkansas, authorities said.

Wright Barnard Raynor, 24, was booked into the Oklahoma County Jail Saturday night on complaints of robbery, attempted robbery and possession of a stolen vehicle during a four-day crime spree. Bail was set at $84,000.

Raynor surrendered to authorities in Morrilton,. Ark., early Friday following a 15-hour search by several law enforcement agencies. Raynor had fled on foot in a wooded area after he wrecked a stolen pickup truck while being pursued by an Arkansas Highway Patrol trooper on Thursday.

During the pursuit, police said Raynor pushed a woman out of the truck. The woman said Raynor picked her up while she was hitchhiking near Sallisaw.

Arkansas authorities said Raynor was wearing only a pair of shorts when he was apprehended and that his feet and legs had been cut up by briars.

Authorities said Raynor is the suspect in Wednesday's robbery of a Home Depot in south Oklahoma City in which the robber used an ax from the store to threaten employees.

The man left with an undisclosed amount of money and robbed a convenience station a few blocks away, police said.

A few hours later, the man was in Weatherford, Okla., where police say he entered a Wal-Mart carrying the ax. Authorities said he threatened a cashier and demanded money.

Police later found the man's vehicle flipped over and abandoned. Authorities think the man then stole a 1970s-model orange pickup from a residence in the area and fled to Arkansas.

Police said Raynor is also a suspect in the robbery of a Love's convenience store in eastern Oklahoma City late Wednesday.