March 22, 2012Issue 33

Tulsa Police DepartmentDetective Division

Newsletter

You can also email us! Simply go to www.tulsapolice.org and click on 'Detective Division'. By selecting a crime type you can send your message directly to a detective.

Quote of the Week...

Detective Division600 Civic Center, 2nd FloorTulsa, OK 74103(918) 596-9133

Auto Theft (918) 669-6520Burglary (918) 596-9155Child Crisis Unit (918) 669-6504Family Violence (918) 746-5250Financial Crimes (918) 596-9209Homicide (918) 596-9135Major Crimes (918) 596-9122Pawn Detail (918) 596-9181Robbery (918) 596-9137Sex Crimes (918) 596-9168Cyber Crimes (918) 591-4740Fugitive Warrants (918) 596-9352Missing Adults (918) 596-9183Missing Children (918) 596-9862Senior Services (918) 596-9165

From the Major...

"A non-doer is very often a critic-that is, someone who sits back and watches doers, and then waxes philosophically

about how the doers are doing. It's easy to be a critic, but being a doer requires

effort, risk, and change." – Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

I want to commend the entire team for your tireless efforts in identifying the perpetrators behind the Strait family assaults. There is never a good time for these things to happen, but these series of incidents could not have come at a worse time for this division. We were in the middle of interviewing candidates for both the Homicide and Warrants Unit vacancies, but despite the challenge, both Luke and Dave managed to complete the interviews while simultaneously conducting the investigation and manhunt. On the second day of the Strait investigation, we had another homicide in East Tulsa. Needless to say, ourhuman resources were stretched really thin last week, and with this week's events, I think the light at the end of the tunnel is really a freight train.

A special shout-out goes to the Warrants and Homicide units. These units worked until the wee hours in the morning for two consecutive days to run down every lead imaginable. Even after being involved in a serious collision, Sergeant Sherman continued the mission without regard for his own well-being (we will give his vehicle a decent burial). Another shout-out goes to Sergeant Bayles, who took extraordinary efforts to ensure that the key investigative units could communicate confidentially, so that their efforts would not be compromised. A special thanks also goes to Burglary, Robbery, Major Crimes Units and Sex Crimes for contributing to the effort. We have one subject in custody, but we are not done yet. There are still others arrogantly walking the streets, while the Strait family has to endure the loss of a loved one, and pain and suffering that will last a lifetime. Make no mistake, we will exhaust all efforts to bring these individuals to justice, and we will offer them no quarter until we have them in our grasps. Thank you for all that you have done and will continue to do. I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to work alongside the finest group of professionals in the law enforcement community.

On a lighter note, please enjoy the doggie picture in this week's edition. This precious pooch belongs to Lieutenant Robert Beczak from Wiesbaden, Germany. Robert is a task force commander with the German Polizei. His unit is a multi-disciplinary team that investigates and responds to organized crime, homicides, and terrorist activities. Robert and I were classmates at the FBI National Academy.

– Major Walter J. Evans Division Commander

This is the time of year where burglaries are on the rise. It doesn't matter what neighborhood you live or work in, anyone can form an alliance through the Alert Neighbors Program – renters or homeowners; apartment complex's; city or rural neighborhoods; schools or businesses. Take the first step to keeping your family and friends safe – Contact the Alert Neighbors Program today! 918-585-5209.

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Upcoming Events...

Detective in the Spotlight!Name: Corporal Stephen Whittington Nickname: StevePet Peeves: Slow computersHobbies: I don’t have a lot of spare time, but when I do I enjoy golfing and reading.What is it you do for the Financial Crimes, Senior Services Unit? I investigate the financial exploitation and physical abuse of vulnerable adults and the elderly.What would you say is the biggest challenge you face in your job? The biggest challenge is the large embezzlement cases and exploitation cases involving large amounts of money and numerous transactions. The documentation and evidence required can sometimes run into thousands of pages.What is the strangest request you've had from a citizen? I got a call to a citizen’s house because they had a snake inside and wanted it removed. When I arrived at the house my backer, now retired Officer John Cleary was carrying the snake out the front door in his hands. To my relief, he said it wasn’t poisonous...because I didn’t know the difference.

Cpl. Whittington has been with the Department 20 years, with 11 years in the Detective Division.

●March 31 – Annual Tulsa FOP Auxiliary Easter Egg Hunt

●April 2-30 – Patrol Rifle Qualification, Entire Month

●April 7 – 2012 Fight for Air Climb by American Lung Assoc.

●May 4 – Tulsa Police Officers' Memorial Vigil, 8:15pm

●May 5 – Tulsa Police Officer's Memorial Service, 10am

●May 19 – COPLAND CLASSIC

Hard Hitting Detective Work!

ALH

What has been the most unusual or interesting case you've had as a detective? Last year I investigated an embezzlement of a large retail store in Tulsa. The suspect was a star football player for a local university which I am an alumnus. He was charged with embezzlement in concert with his girlfriend.

What is your most rewarding experience? My investigation of Dusty Joles, and his “home repair” business during the summer of 2011. I was able to document several of his activities and obtain charges both in Tulsa and Osage Counties. Crime Analyst Kyle Crone and I coordinated and assisted Detectives in Arkansas, Louisiana, and the IRS concerning his travels and activities. (Arrest featured in Issue 10)

Brandon Maxwell

Destin Rodriguez

On March 9th at approximately 0530 am GID officers responded to 305 S. 43rd W. Ave in reference to an auto theft. Avonna Olson was killed as a result of being run over by her own vehicle, during the alleged incident. Alert GID officers conducting a canvass of the West Tulsa area which resulted in the quick discovery of the victim's vehicle in the Sandy Park Apartment complex. This allowed Homicide Detectives an opportunity to focus their efforts on a specific area and find witnesses that proved to be instrumental in identifying the two suspects in the case.

Based on this information, the Fugitive Warrants unit were able to locate Rodriguez, who subsequently confessed to his involvement and advanced the investigation. The next day, Lead Homicide Det. Jason White received information from Off. Gatwood as to the potential whereabouts of Maxwell. The Homicide Unit responded along side the Fugitive Warrants Task Force to the Gateway Inn located at 5600 West Skelly Drive. Maxwell was placed in custody at that location without incident. Following his arrest, Det. White interviewed him where he confessed to his involvement in the crime. Maxwell's bond is set at $517,500 and Rodriguez's bond is set at $530,700.

This is a perfect example of how vital the efforts of the Field Officers can be in the early minutes and hours of an investigation. Without their efforts in the early stages of the investigation, along with the efforts of the Fugitive Warrants Task Force, this investigation would have been, without a doubt, far more difficult. All in all, a collaborative effort by many officers and detectives resulted in a quick successful apprehension on a major case.

– Detective Jason White

Brandon Alexander

Description: Black Male, 18DOB: 06/23/93Height: 5'08Weight: 140Hair: BlackEyes: GreenTPD#: 455909

Brandon Alexander is currently wanted out of Tulsa County for FTA Robbery with a Firearm, Sexual Battery and 2nd Degree Burglary. Alexander should be considered armed and dangerous and will be held with no bond.

If you have any information call CRIME STOPPERS at (918)596-COPS. It's completely anonymous, and if your tip leads to an arrest, you could get a reward! Now, you can text Crime Tips at “CRIMES” or “274637” -- begin message with “TIP918”, type out your crime tip and then SEND the message. The sender will receive a PIN number within 10 seconds. Save that PIN number.

MOST WANTED...

We'd like to recognize a local newspaper that brings much deserved attention to criminals and their misdoings using humorous articles and at times humiliating images. Cornel Williams, the founder, editor, and publisher of Tulsa Crime Monthly posted this recent arrest of Steven Sanders on Facebook. We appreciate his efforts in bringing awareness to the citizens of Tulsa, and doing so with flare!

Tulsa Crime Monthly is on Facebook and can be purchased at a variety of locations within the Tulsa Area.

Keep Spreadin' the News...

This picture is of a Colonel awarding the purple heart in Afghanistan. Look closely...that is TPD Corporal Joel Ward issuing a Purple Heart on TPD Officer Chad Moyer. They should be returning from Afghanistan soon!