Officer Shoots Suspected Gas Thief In Northwest OKC

An Oklahoma City police officer opened fire Wednesday night on a man suspected of stealing gas near N.W. 23rd Street and MacArthur.

Police said there has been a rash of fuel thefts in the area during the past month, so they set up surveillance in the area around 10 p.m. Officers said just 10 minutes later, they saw the suspect, Thell Terry, arrive and begin to siphon diesel fuel from a semi truck.

Sgt. John Ricketts approached Terry and ordered him to stop. Sgt. Ricketts said Terry ran and jumped into his truck.

Sgt. Ricketts said Terry then backed up the truck and attempted to run over him. Sgt. Ricketts opened fire and hit the 50-year-old man once.

Terry was taken to the hospital, but his gunshot wound was not serious and he's expected to recover. News 9 looked at Terry's criminal record and discovered he has a long history of drug and alcohol-related convictions. Police said Terry may have stolen fuel from semi trucks all over the city.

Sgt. Ricketts has been placed on routine administrative leave while the department investigates the shooting.