Trail Of Fire Leads To Burglary Suspect Near Tecumseh

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Police catch a burglary suspect after his attempt to hide sparks a fire.

Police say a group of people burglarized Taylor Construction and Arrowhead Concrete in Oklahoma City on Sunday, July 31. They stole several pieces of equipment worth $100,000.

7/31/11 Related Story: Thieves Strip Oklahoma City Business Clean

The next day, authorities in Pottawatomie County were called out to a fire near Tecumseh in the Macomb area. They found a stolen truck and trailer filled with the stolen equipment burning in a wooded area. They began searching the area and caught 42-year-old suspect Clinton Collins.

Police say Collins is a former employee of the burglarized business. They also say he's one of four people caught on surveillance video breaking into Taylor Construction and Arrowhead Concrete.

The burglary was the latest in a series of setbacks for the business. A tornado in May knocked down one of its buildings, and recent fire also caused some damage. Owner Matt Davey says the burglary is another blow.

"They broke into every building we have here on site," said Davey. "They ransacked our offices, broke into our cabinet shop, stole a bunch of equipment out of the cabinet shop."

Investigators believe Collins was trying to hide the truck filled with stolen loot in the wooded area. But when he drove over the dry brush he started a fire, and that led to his capture.