TULSA Police arrest stripper-gram suspect

Tuesday, July 3rd 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

A break in the case of a man posing as a stripper-gram to take advantage of women. A Crimestoppers tip led officers to a man who lives and works in Owasso. Tuesday afternoon, authorities arrested Cory West in Owasso.

Tulsa Police detectives say they met with West Monday, asked him some questions and got his permission to take his picture. They say several victims later picked that picture out of a photo line-up. Officers say they tried to meet with Cory West again, but, he never showed up. An arrest warrant was issued and Tuesday afternoon, West was arrested in Owasso and returned to Tulsa.

Police believe West has been posing as a stripper-gram for nearly two years. Many women never reported it because they were embarrassed. Tulsa Police Sex Crimes Detective Rod Russo, "If you allow someone in your house, you put your safety in jeopardy and you think, I shouldn't have done that." Fullbright: "And they get embarrassed?" Russo: "Yes."

The scheme came to light recently after one of the women was sexually assaulted. Police say the fake stripper has gotten more aggressive and more violent as time goes on. West in only accused at this time, by no means has he been proven guilty.

Police ask you to call Crimestoppers at 596-COPS if you're a victim that hasn't come forward yet.