McAlester News-Capital, McAlester, OK

Local News

June 29, 2009

Police chief among victims

By James Beaty

A couple of burglars caught more than they expected when they allegedly stole rods and reels and other fishing equipment from McAlester Police Chief Jim Lyles early Sunday morning.

They also caught the attention of a sharp-eyed citizens, who contacted city police when they saw someone poking aorund outside their home with a flashlight in the pre-dawn darkness.

After police stopped a pickup in connection with the call, they found property belonging to Lyles and six other indivduals inside the truck, said McAlester Police Det. Capt. Don Hass.

“This is a major recovery,” Hass said this morning. He quickly credited the city residents who had contacted police.

“We would not have been able to have done it if citizens hadn’t called in.”

Following the traffic stop, police arrested Grant Spencer Hurt and Bennie Kyle Wester, both 19 and both of McAlester, Hass said.

The two were booked into the Pittsburg County Jail on initial complaints of possession of stolen property, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, six counts of second-degree burglary and patty larceny, Hass said. Police also cited Hurt for failure to wear a seat belt.

The initial call came into police around 4:07 a.m. from the Fire Side Estates area off Hardy Springs Road, Hass said. McAlester Police Sgt. Greg Read made the initial stop on a maroon 2003 Chevrolet pickup, while officer Chris Troussel and Danny Kelley were also dispatched to the site.

After officers stopped the pickup, they found “It was loaded with stolen property,” Hass said.

The property had been taken from areas such as Georgetown Circle, Summit Ridge, Kinkead Hills, Cedar Ridge and Rosewood Street, Hass said. Much of it had been taken from vehicles and garages and even from a boat, he said.

Property recovered by police and determined to have been stolen included four cell phones, a long action bolt riffle, a spotlight, a Weedeater and leaf-blower, aluminum ramps, cash, a bank bag, a golf bag and golf clubs a duffle bag and a notebook computer, according to Hass.

In addition to Lyles, those who had their stolen property recovered included Forrest Michele Morris, Orlean Smith, Stanton Jones, John Palmore, Evan Grippando and Michael Hays, Hass said.

Hass urged city residents to contact police whenever they see something suspicious.

“We want to encourage people to call in,” Hass said. Do not be concerned about bothering the police, he said.

In this instance, Hass said “There was no reason for somebody to be out at 4 a.m. with a flashlight.”

If there is a valid reason, the person could need help, such as someone searching for a lost people or needing assistance for some other reason, he said.

“These guys would have got away if the citizens hadn’t called,” Hass said.

Contact James Beaty at jbeaty@mcalesternews.com.

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