TPD: Suspect In Custody After Leading Officers On Chase, Jumping In Arkansas River

Tulsa Police say a man is in jail after leading officers on a chase in a stolen car and then trying to swim away from them in the Arkansas River. Police said they found the suspect using their helicopter.

Tulsa Police said they were called to assist the Jenks Police Department after Brian Crabtree, 35, led them on a short pursuit and then jumped into the Arkansas River. Police said Crabtree first tripped an alarm at a Jenks business and the owner caught him.

They said the owner showed up to the business and Crabtree rammed the stolen car into the business owner’s vehicle when he arrived. Police said the owner rammed his car back into Crabtree, who then took off from the scene as police were arriving.

Tulsa Police were able to use the helicopter to find him two different times after it had to stop to refuel at one point.

“Officers were able to surround [Crabtree] on bridges,” said Captain Jerrod Hart, Tulsa Police. “We located the subject at Jenks bridge on the east side of the river and took him into custody.”

Crabtree is in the Tulsa County Jail facing charges including assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a stolen vehicle and running from police.