Tulsa Police report a spike in armed robberies, since this time last year, and already two in the past 24 hours.Officers were called to a robbery Monday night at a Quick Mart located at 11910 E. Admiral Place. The clerk told officers that the suspect entered the store with a sawed-off shotgun and demanded cash and cigars. The clerk complied with the suspect’s demands. The suspect then ran out of the store southbound on South 119th E. Avenue. Around 6:10 Tuesday morning, police say a man was sitting in his car at 36th and Memorial, when a robber approached him with a sawed-off shotgun, demanded his money and took off. According to the Tulsa Police Department's Robbery Division, 57 robberies have occurred so far this month, Nov. 1 - 24, with the most happening in parking lots.
"They realize it's Christmas time, they realize people are out shopping, and they're looking for people who aren't paying attention," Officer Leland Ashley said.
Police advise shoppers to:
1) Scan parking lots for suspicious people or vehicles,
2) leave large amounts of cash at home, and
3) if approached by a robber, give up your valuables.
"Your life is more important than property," Ashley said, "property can be replaced, someone's like can't."
Officers also stress the importance of being aware of your surroundings and looking out for criminals who may be following you in your car.
