A stolen car has been recovered but the suspects still need to be in found in what police call one of the most dangerous home invasions they’ve seen in Tulsa.
Friday morning two crooks targeted a woman and her granddaughter in a Midtown neighborhood.
The robbery started around 7:50 am at a home north of the shopping centers at 41st and Yale. The women were held hostage for two hours and forced to drive their captors to a bank before they were let go.
The grandmother said her neighborhood is an active Alert Neighbor and residents report suspicious activity.
“I was in my car getting ready to go to Yoga,” said Carmanita.
The grandmother said she was still in the garage when she heard a knock on her car window.
"I put the window down and there was a gun on the window,” said the grandmother.
The robber said he wouldn’t hurt her and she told him no one was in the house.
"’I won't shoot you. Who is in the house?’" said Carmanita. "Hoping that he wouldn't know my granddaughter who is in 18 was in there."
The robber pulled her out of her 2006 silver Mercedes SUV and asked if her dog was mean and put him on a leash.
A second man then forced his way inside the home. They woke up her granddaughter.
"With a man with a gun standing over her, it was horrible," said Carmanita.
They went from room to room, stealing TV'S, a computer and anything they could get off the wall and stuffed the items in the trunk of the Mercedes.
For two hours the women couldn’t call 911.
"The gun was at our head often,” said Carmanita.
They wanted her money.
"I said ‘well you have my computer. I don't know how much is in the bank. Not much’ I kept saying," said the grandmother.
However, the gunmen still forced the family to drive to her bank and cash a $350 check and then dropped the victims off at their home.
"They let me out. My neighbor was in the driveway and he is so good and he called police,” said Carmanita.
The robbers took off in her SUV that was filled with stolen loot.
Nearly 15 minutes to a half later, the manager at the 51
st & Yale Taco Bell called police about an abandoned Mercedes SUV in his parking lot.
Police now have the vehicle in property to look for evidence.
Shaken and upset, Carmanita said she is thankful she and her granddaughter are alive.
"This neighborhood you never think a gun is going to be in your garage," said Carmanita.
The suspects are described as two black men. Detectives said the women got a good description of the suspects. One is tall, around age 19, black pants with a gold stripe down the pants. He had a tattoo with name “Terrell” or “Jerrell” on his neck. The other is 5'3'' and stocky.
If you have any information about these robbers 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.
The bank gave the victim her money back. Police said these women did everything right but said always do whatever you can to not get in a car with a robber.
