Technicality Puts Serial OKC Robber Back Out On The Streets

An Oklahoma fugitive wanted for several armed robberies in Oklahoma City, Moore and Del City back in January and February is back out on the streets.

Christopher McClellon,46, is now being profiled on the Oklahoma County Sheriff's office Facebook page for their Fugitive Wednesday.

Travis County Sheriff's office tells News 9 McClellon was arrested Feb. 18. He was pulled over outside Austin, Texas near Pace Bend park.

Members of the FBI task force were looking for him on the outstanding Oklahoma warrant and Travis County Sheriff's Office assisted in the arrest.

The sheriff's office PIO Roger Wade says originally McClellon was being held on a $500,000 bond. However, a Justice of the Peace in Travis County released him since there was no governor's warrant issued from Oklahoma.

The district clerk's office says they can only hold fugitives for a total of 90 days and that a governor's warrant must be filed during that time. They say by law, they have to release them if a governor's warrant has not been issued in that time.

McClellon is accused of nine armed robberies.

Surveillance cameras captured him in the act at several dollar stores, restaurants, and convenience stores in OKC, Moore and Del City between January and February of this year. Each time McClellon demanded cash from the register and flashed a gun at the clerk.

"This is certainly someone we want to get back off the streets again," said Msgt. Gary Knight with the Oklahoma City Police Department.

This surveillance video taken at the EZ Mart at SE 44th and I-35 is what helped police finally identify McClellon.

Court records show officers got a tip that he had called a friend in Oklahoma City on February 12th. Then, authorities were able to track down his phone records which helped the FBI task force track him down to the Austin, Texas area.

But now he's out, a wanted fugitive once again, after being released last week.

“At this time he still has the nine warrants out for his arrest,” said Knight. “So we are once again trying to locate Mr. McClellon.”

Wednesday afternoon, Governor Mary Fallin's office emailed News 9 this statement:

"A warrant has been issued for Christopher McClellon's arrest and the FBI is in the process of apprehending him. We expect him to be in custody and transferred from Texas to Oklahoma County shortly. Right now, our focus is on getting him back into custody. The governor's office and the district attorney's office are communicating and are committed to finding out what went wrong with his paperwork after McClellon is back in custody." - Alex Weintz