Tulsa Burglary Suspect Has Past Conviction

A man who was arrested this week for breaking into Tulsa restaurants has been in prison for the same crime. <br/><br/>Michael Cooley was picked up early Monday, after Tulsa Police say he was spotted with

Thursday, May 18th 2006, 10:34 am

By: News On 6

A man who was arrested this week for breaking into Tulsa restaurants has been in prison for the same crime.

Michael Cooley was picked up early Monday, after Tulsa Police say he was spotted with two stolen cash registers.

In late 2002, he was arrested for the same crime. He went to prison and served one year. 35 restaurants had been hit back then. Now there's another rash of break ins and burglaries, which Tulsa Police believe has been stopped with Cooley's arrest.

Tulsa Police detective Deb Glenn: â€œThese burglaries are going to stop because this guy is in jail."

Marc Matheos with Pie Hole Pizzeria: â€œYeah, he smashed out 3 windows to get $20 at a cost of about $1,500 worth of glass."

Several restaurants have been hit more than once - the victims believe by the same man. Tulsa Police have reports of more than 30 breaks ins over the last few months that all seem similar.

Tulsa Police detectives are looking into other cases on the north side of town, including some not classified as burglaries - because the register was empty and nothing was taken.

Recent Cash Register Burglaries:

09-16-05 Johnnies' Charcoal 5001 S Harvard
09-20-06 Subway 5988 S Yale
10-06-05 Royal Dragon 7837 E 51st
10-11-05 Elmer's BBQ 4130 S Peoria
10-21-05 La Mansion 10818 E 41st
03-28-06 Cici's Pizza 4949 S Peoria
03-28-06 Asian Chef 5020 S Sheridan
03-29-06 Bill & Ruth's 1320 E 41st
03-30-06 South of the Border 4955 S Memorial
03-30-06 Raymond's Donuts 4955 S Memorial
03-30-06 Taco Mexico Lindo 4401 S Memorial
04-01-06 La Flama 1122 E 61st
04-01-06 Mexico Lindo 6902 S Lewis
04-02-06 Steak Stuffers 1932 E 51st
04-13-06 Forget Me Not Gifts 1810 E 51st
04-16-06 Golden Palace 5125 S Peoria
04-17-06 Ron's Hamburgers 4909 S Peoria
04-29-06 Bazaar at London Sq 5800 S Lewis
04-30-06 Daylight Donuts 3525 E 51st
05-15-06 AJ's Custard Cabana 6147 E 51st
05-15-06 Caprice Restaurant 6728 E 41st
05-15-06 Asian Chef 5020 S Sheridan