Ex-Con Goes On Wild Citywide Crime Spree, TPD Says

An ex-convict reportedly went on a wild crime spree late Friday, committing numerous crimes in several different locations around the city.

Police said Mark Williams, 37, of Bixby, eventually surrendered to police after they say he committed an armed robbery, assaulted a store clerk with a rock, stole a car, drove in a hit-and-run crash, broke into multiple homes and assaulted a homeowner with a hammer.

Oklahoma Department of Corrections records show Williams has been in and out of prison since he was 18, and he last was released in March after being sentenced to five years for second-degree burglary and drug possession.

Tulsa Police Sgt. Chris Moudy said Williams entered Domino's at 91st and Delaware about 11:15 p.m. wielding a rock. According to an arrest report, Williams demanded money and keys to a car from the clerk or else he would "bash his head in."

Williams left Dominos with nothing, but he headed west across Delaware to a Fiesta Mart, where he went inside and assaulted the clerk with the rock, took his wallet and car keys and left in his car, police said. EMSA was seen treating the clerk for a head injury.

About 20 minutes later, a call came in about a hit-and-run crash at 145th East Avenue at 41st Street. The clerk's car was left in a nearby field, and police said Williams ran into a residential neighborhood.

Police said Williams then attempted to break into houses on 38th Street between145th-143rd East Avenue. Most of them were unsuccessful, as Williams was scared off by the residents, but he broke into a house that was unoccupied and stole a hammer, according to police. He used the hammer to bash mirrors in the home and then bled as he walked throughout the home, the report says.

Williams also used the hammer to break into an occupied house and assaulted the homeowner with the tool, police said. The occupants reportedly fought him off and he ran again, with TPD chasing him through backyards. TPD said Williams broke into another unoccupied house that was being renovated, but he was surrounded by officers on 143rd East Avenue and eventually surrendered.

All of the assault victims and crash victims also sustained minor injuries, but none were transported to hospitals, TPD said.

Williams was booked into the Tulsa County jail for two counts attempted armed robbery, robbery with a dangerous weapon, two counts of second-degree burglary, first-degree burglary and hit and run. There also were 10 outstanding warrants for his arrest.

Police said they don't have an official motive for the crime spree, but Williams was heard telling people he was sorry he was "high" and apologized for “interrupting their night,” Moudy said.

The entire alleged crime spree lasted about 30-40 minutes.

Witnesses from the south side robberies were transported to the last scene to identify him.

Since 1996, Williams has been convicted of multiple crimes, including escaping from the department of corrections, DUI, eluding, unauthorized use of a vehicle, false impersonation, obtaining merchandise by false pretense, false declaration of ownership in pawn, second-degree burglary and drug possession.