OKC Police Arrest 3 Home Burglary Suspects Following Pursuits

Chaos erupted in a northwest Oklahoma City neighborhood overnight.

Police said burglary suspects tried to steal several large items, but once officers showed up, the suspects drove away in separate vehicles, starting two police chases between Penn and Hefner.

According to police, a neighbor called 911 at about 1 a.m. Friday after seeing that the home, located in the 3200 block of Hickory Stick Road, was being burglarized.

“Yeah definitely knew something was up,” said Scott, the neighbor who heard all the noise. “And then eventually a truck pulled out carrying a trailer of what looked like furniture with its lights out, so I called 911.”

Turns out that loud sound was the thieves loading up furniture and appliances into a truck and trailer. Everything from washers and dryers, to mattresses, even a giant stone fountain were taken from the home.

When officers arrived at the scene, they spotted two trucks that matched the description of the suspect vehicles involved.

The suspects then drove away, starting two police pursuits. One of the suspects stopped at a restaurant and ran off. Two others in another area also ran off. But thanks to K9 officers, all three suspects are now in custody.

We learned one is in the hospital with a serious leg wound after the K9 took down the suspect who tried to hide in a tree.

“I was super glad to hear they got them,” said Scott. “But the noise they were making gave them away.”

The homeowner still can't believe it. She said the thieves even took a king-size four-poster bed from the home.

“It had been completely taken apart,” said Solheim, “We found the tool box they had to remove it and dismantle it.”

Solheim said she had already moved out of the house and had plans to remodel it and sell it, but still had quite a bit of her stuff still inside. She had no idea it would become such an attractive target for thieves.

“All you have to do is look in a window.” said Solheim, “I am thrilled they got caught, and wish more bad guys would get caught.”

And Julie is also thrilled she had such an observant neighbor and said she can't thank him enough.

“Little scary that it happens this close to home,” said Scott. “But I'm sure glad they were caught. I just don't want it to happen more in this neighborhood we got a great neighborhood and families looking out for each other.”

Police said the suspects, later identified the suspects as 25-year-old Steven James Thompson, 32-year-old Rafael Vasquez, and 39-year-old Johnathan Ian Blagg, were cleaning out the house which was full of high end furniture and appliances. The suspects certainly had been there quite some time. This house is about 6,500 square feet and they were able to get a number of items.

Police believe the suspects knew this house was about to be placed on the market and that no one was living there at the time. The homeowner told News 9 that the dining room table alone was worth about $5,000.

All three suspects are no strangers to the jail. They have a lengthy criminal history.