25 armed robberies in 8 days across Tulsa have police concerned

New developments in a rash of armed robberies in Tulsa. Police arrested a suspect in one of the robberies. <br/><br/>LeRico Richardson was arrested after police questioned him Wednesday evening. Investigators

Wednesday, March 23rd 2005, 12:22 pm

By: News On 6

New developments in a rash of armed robberies in Tulsa. Police arrested a suspect in one of the robberies.

LeRico Richardson was arrested after police questioned him Wednesday evening. Investigators believe Richardson is the man who robbed and shot a Chinese food deliveryman last week. They plan to question him about several other robberies, too.

Richardson's aunt tells the News on 6 they admit he was arrested for illegally carrying a concealed weapon, but they say he had nothing to do with any of these robberies. They say this arrest is retaliation for a complaint Richardson recently filed against Tulsa Police for excessive force.

Detectives are investigating a rash of robberies, involving 25 victims in the last nine days, all in parking lots.

Mario Leyva is the most recent victim. He got off work at Utica Square and went to his apartment near Cherry Street around 11 Tuesday night when a man with a gun approached him. He took Mario's cash and documents, then, wanted his car keys. "Hurry up, hurry up, give me your keys, your keys and he took them and they he threw the keys."

The 25 robberies have occurred all over Tulsa. The area is bordered by 3rd Street in downtown Tulsa to the north, 81st Street to the south, Peoria to the west and 130th to the east.