Man Grabs, Tries To Load Rifles At Muskogee Walmart

A busy Muskogee Walmart was evacuated late Thursday night after a man broke into a gun case and tried to steal a rifle.

Officers say 35-year-old Everett Rowlands went into the Walmart on West Shawnee around 10:15 p.m.  Police say Rowlands broke into a gun case and took an M-4 Rifle. He tried to load it but wasn't able to because it had a gun lock.  Police say he then grabbed a Mini-14 rifle and ran into a storeroom.

Wal-Mart employees evacuated the store and officers were able to take Rowlands into custody.

Rowlands was booked on complaints of grand larceny, reckless handling of a firearm, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and obstructing an officer. He also had two outstanding warrants for knowingly concealing stolen property.