Phelps receives 10-year prison sentence

(Tulsa-AP) -- A man who stole a vehicle carrying two children in September has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.<br><p align="justify">Joe Ray Phelps caused a statewide public alert.<br><p align="justify">He

Tuesday, January 9th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Tulsa-AP) -- A man who stole a vehicle carrying two children in September has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Joe Ray Phelps caused a statewide public alert.

He and an accomplice, 19-year-old Bonnie Grubbs, previously pleaded guilty to two counts of child endangerment and one count of auto theft.

The couple stole a sport utility vehicle from a Tulsa convenience store.

Brandy Renae Collette had parked the vehicle and left her keys in its ignition. She left her children, and 18-month-old and a six-month-old month, in the back seat.

The vehicle was found abandoned about 12 hours later on a rural Delaware County road. The children were inside, unharmed.