MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

Local News

Discussion

December 24, 2008

Accused burglar arrested in California

A Tahlequah man accused in 11 burglaries throughout five Oklahoma counties was reportedly picked up by California authorities Tuesday.

A warrant was issued for Randy Lee Shoopman Jr., in Cherokee, Adair, Delaware, Wagoner and Rogers counties for nearly a dozen counts of second-degree burglary.

Law enforcement agencies from other counties worked closely with Tahlequah Detective Jeff Haney, who was investigating the Tahlequah burglaries. Tobacco spit stains left at several of the crime scenes were used to successfully match DNA to Shoopman, according to court documents.

Court documents allege Shoopman used similar methods of breaking and entering, often pulling the outside walls off of the buildings, tearing through insulation and busting the inside-wall Sheetrock to make entry. Several businesses were entered through windows. Buildings were left ransacked, and throughout the alleged crime spree, Shoopman made away with everything from cash to computers, investigators said.

Josh Newton writes for the Tahlequah Daily Press.



Text Only
Local News