Homicide Unit Searches For Body At Home Of Alleged Organized Crime Boss

A team from the Oklahoma City Homicide Unit will continue looking for a body that may be buried outside an Oklahoma City home.

Monday, May 16th 2011, 9:38 pm

By: News 9


Dana Hertneky, News9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A team from the Oklahoma City Homicide Unit will continue looking for a body that may be buried outside an Oklahoma City home.

Police recently obtained a search warrant for a home in the 3300 block of S. Quapah, which is near Newcastle Road and S. Portland Ave. in southwest Oklahoma City.

"We have credible information to make us believe there is a body here," said MSgt, Gary Knight of the Oklahoma City police department.

An archaeology team joined members of the Oklahoma City Homicide Unit and Bomb Squad to search for any signs of human remains. Police say at this point, they don't know the identity of the person who may be buried there.

The Oklahoma City Bomb Squad is using robotic devices in the search for the body. Knight says there is concern the area may be booby trapped. Neighbors point out there are surveillance cameras surrounding the property.

"All over the houses, front to back all over both properties," said one who didn't want to be identified.

County tax records show the man who owns the property is Michael Gardner. Gardner is the national president of the Rogue Motorcycle Club.  He was arrested in January on drug charges, and U.S. Marshals raided his club on May 3 after a 12-year drug trafficking investigation.

A block away, Jason Warden and Jennifer Culwell say they've been concerned about events at the house for several months.

"I always have an uneasy feeling every time I drive down that way," Warden said.

Culwell says she's seen an increase in motorcycle traffic near the house. "Two or three o'clock in the morning, they're revving their engines going up and down the street. You hear odd gunshots going off during the night."

Culwell says she forbids her daughter from riding her bike near the house.

Police say the search for the body could take days or possibly weeks to complete.

logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News 9 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

May 16th, 2011

March 22nd, 2024

March 14th, 2024

February 9th, 2024

Top Headlines

March 29th, 2024

March 29th, 2024

March 29th, 2024

March 29th, 2024