Teens suspected in expensive jewelry theft

Tulsa police have tracked down four teenagers who are accused of breaking into homes in some of Tulsa’s most upscale neighborhoods.

Police report between the Creek Turnpike and 110^th and between Sheridan and Harvard a group of teens broke into at least seven homes.

Police arrested Noor Alhlou, 21, Kerem Ozgul, 19, and a 16-year-old and 17-year-old in connection to the burglaries.

In one case, a few of them were caught in a home while a college student was home. She screamed to scare them off but a good description of the thieves.

They were seen driving a blue Yukon and grey BMW.  Tracking down the stolen loot took more than going to pawn shop.

Detectives said thieves are starting to sell their loot at cash for gold stores and second-hand stores.

In one home, a $16,000 ring and watches worth more than $6,000 each and other jewelry and items were stolen.

"There is a laundry list of things they took. We were only able to get back a little bit,” said Burglary Sergeant Shellie Wood.

Police tracked down some of the loot at one of the suspect’s parents’ cash for gold stores.

"They are required to open our books to us so we can see who is coming in and selling the items in case they are on our serial burglar list," said Wood.

Police said the cash for gold owners did not know the items were stolen.

A stolen fake identification card led police to two teens and a 17-year-old and 16-year-old.

"They drive the same type of cars, they go to Jenks High School, they look nice and they look non threatening," said Wood.

The teens also live in the same neighborhood as the victims.

Wood said the suspects were known to break into cars but escalated when they were connected to at least seven home break-ins.

They found some of the loot but not all of it.  

"It's very difficult to get people's property back. It changes hands so quickly by the time whoever has it. They have no idea it was stolen,” said Wood.

Cash for gold stores can make it difficult. Under the Precious Metals Act they can melt down the metal ten days after the sale. However, Tulsa Police can't enforce the timeline, it’s the Consumer Credit Bureau.

Police are now working on a campaign to get precious metal stores to comply.

"The first step is to educate,” said Wood.

Police are also currently working on an ordinance that would require second-hand stores to report like pawn shops and also to enforce the precious metals timeline.

As of Wednesday evening, all of the teens have bonded out except for Alhlou.