Deputy arrests robbery suspect armed with sword

Tulsa County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a man they say threatened people in a convenience store with a sword.

Deputies were called to Bowden’s Convenience Store at 5835 S 65th W. Ave just after midnight on Sunday. The deputy spoke to the store clerk and John Paul Hopper when he got to the store. According to the arrest report Hopper was slurring his speech and smelled of alcohol.

The clerk said Hopper came into the store and started eating food and drinking beer and then tried to leave without paying. The clerk and witnesses told deputies they tried to stop him and he showed them he was armed with a screwdriver and a knife.

Witnesses say they told Hopper he was being placed under citizen’s arrest and he waved the sword at them before going to a back room and then surrendering his weapons.

Deputies arrested Hopper for public drunkenness, robbery and no proof of insurance.