Major crimes drop in January but homicides up
BY AMANDA BLAND World Staff Writer
Monday, February 18, 2013
2/18/13 at 7:58 AM
Despite a record-tying number of homicides in Tulsa in January, all other major crimes fall near or below average for the same time period in previous years.
Fourteen people have been slain in the city this year, and all but two of the killings occurred in January.
The only case in which an arrest has not been made is the death of Christopher Odis Williams, 52. Williams collapsed inside of his sister's apartment after he was shot in the back while fleeing an assailant at the Garden Courtyard Apartments, 4302 S. Garnett Road, on Jan. 7.
January's homicide total matches that of November 2009, which is a 30-year record.
Aggravated assault reports, which document attacks involving a weapon, were 16 percent below the average monthly total for January. Burglaries showed a 13 percent decrease.
The number of robberies reported, 92, is slightly below the seven-year average for the month of January, which is 98.
Auto thefts, which routinely increase during the winter months when motorists are more prone to leaving their running vehicles unattended, were up by 3 percent.
Detectives advise motorists not to leave spare keys or your vehicle's title inside. Drivers are also encouraged to have their vehicles towed rather than leaving it on the roadside or private property.
The Tulsa Police Department fielded 951 larceny reports, which include incidents of burglary from vehicles. The average for the same time period in previous years was 1,039.
The number of rapes investigated, 22, is a 7 percent increase.
Anyone with more information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS (2677), online at tulsaworld.com/crimestoppers or via text message at CRIMES (274637). Text tips should begin with "Tip918." Tipsters can remain anonymous and may earn a reward.
To read past stories about crime trends that might affect you or your family, go online to the CrimeWise section of tulsaworld.com's CrimeWatch page.
Original Print Headline: Crimes fall in January but homicides up
Amanda Bland 918-581-8413
amanda.bland@tulsaworld.com
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