Tables are turned as Tulsa Police prowl the crooks who are prowling local neighborhoods.
For two weeks burglary detectives teamed up with patrol officers in the Riverside Division to target potential serial burglars.
Detectives say they work at least a thousand cases a month. This week they made a big arrest the thief is out hitting homes again.
Dameon Leathers, 30, was arrested for dozens of home break-ins in the brookside, midtown and around the fairgrounds areas.
Cases involving serial burglars are “red flagged” so judges can consider setting their bond at a higher amount. Leathers managed to bond out on $100,000 the same day he was arrested.
Police say it only takes two to eight minutes to kick in a door and steal a flat-screen television, gaming system, jewelry and other high dollar items.
With more than 40 home and business break-ins reported in the last week in the Riverside Division, burglaries are a high priority for law enforcement.
For some thieves it’s a full-time job.
"We have guys that hit in the 100's. They're hitting four to eight (homes/businesses) a day, five days a week,” says TPD Burglary Detective Brandon Bennett.
They target neighborhoods where people seem to keep to themselves.
"[Burglars] look at the neighborhood and see how observant the neighborhood is,” says Bennett.
Thieves will often look for empty driveways.
"Sometimes they may park in the driveway or park around,” says Bennett.
Police say thieves will knock on the door and if they don't think you're home they'll kick in the door.
"They've really hit us hard. I think everyone around here has stepped up, being super cautious, watching out for their neighbors,” says midtown neighbor Sharron. "Everyone is sick of it."
She is determined to not to be an easy victim.
"My brother has come over and my house is like Fort Knox now,” says Sharron.
She installed an alarm system and reinforced her doors and secures both locks the moment she closes the door.
"My brother says ‘why do you do that?’ Because I don't want to killed,” says Sharron.
It’s wise to take precautions but detectives stress if you spot somebody suspicious in your neighborhood let the police handle it.
“Don't think that you have to be a Scooby Doo,” says Bennett.
Police continue to investigate Leathers activities and others.
"We may not catch a lot of bad guys today but from the intelligence we gather today we are going to make a lot of cases on a lot of people,” says Bennett.
Police say if you see someone suspicious you should get the best description: the vehicle, tag number and a good look at their face.
Spot Crime is also a helpful website to get updates on crime activity by zip codes.
Leathers is known to drive a 2002 white Chevy Tahoe or 2000 silver Impala.
If you have any information about a crime or suspect and the crime is not in progress call Crime Stoppers at (918) 596-COPS (2677) or text a tip to “CRIMES” (274637) and begin your message with “TIP918” or you can submit a tip online at
www.tipsubmit.com. Remember you never have to give your name and your tip could lead to a cash reward.
