Elderly Couple Assaulted With Shovel, Stabbed During Tulsa Home Invasion

Police say an elderly Tulsa couple are in the hospital after three suspects broke into their home early Thursday.

Officers say two of the suspects beat and stabbed the couple during a struggle in the 4900 block of North Johnstown Avenue, while a third suspect waited outside as a lookout.

Police got the call at 2:15 a.m. from a next door neighbor about a burglary in progress at the home. The neighbor called after seeing several people walking in and out of the couple's home.

"We saw two teenagers going in and out the garage, and we heard one of my neighbors yell out, yell out just with a scream," neighbor Patricia Anderson said.

Officers said when they arrived, they found the man lying in the backyard. They said it appeared as if he has been stabbed in the forehead. His wife was lying in the garage and police say she had been hit in the head with a shovel. Both were conscious and spoke to the officers, but were clearly hurt.

Police said their helicopter was nearby and with help of a K9 officer located the three suspects quickly.

"Sergeant Jacob Johnston with Tulsa Police said, "Couple of the neighbors have come forward and said they take a lot of pride in their neighborhood, they're all homeowners, and they do watch out for one another."

Officers say during the home invasion, the suspects had demanded the couple's car keys.

Anderson said she's grateful she was able to help.

"I hate that it happened, but I'm glad I was up, cooking for Thanksgiving and I was actually observant with my dog barking and alerting us about what happened," she said.

Police say the three suspects are arrested and questioned.  They have not released their names or ages, but neighbors say they looked to be 15 or 16 years old.

Police said the K9 unit caught one of the suspects who was taken to the hospital and given stitches.