Hotel security officer shoots at burglary suspect from hood of car, captures him after chase
Tulsa OK December 13 2019Â A hotel security officer shot at a burglary suspect from the hood of a car and captured him after a short chase Wednesday, Tulsa police reported.
The security guard was patrolling the parking lot of the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham, 23 N. 67th East Ave., about 9:30 a.m. when he noticed a car backed into a spot by the property’s southern fence, a news release from the Tulsa Police Department states.
Thinking the car was suspicious, the security officer attempted to block it in with his car.
A short time later, Justus Murphy came running from around the fence with loot from the neighboring O’Reilly Auto Parts and employees chasing him, according to the release.
The security officer attempted to stop Murphy, but he jumped in the car, drove around the security guard’s car and toward the security officer, according to police.
The security guard then jumped on the car’s hood and pointed his pistol at Murphy while ordering him to stop, according to the release. Instead, Murphy accelerated through the parking lot and reportedly pulled a gun on the security officer.
The security guard fired at least two rounds through the windshield, striking the center console.
Murphy stopped the car, threw down his gun and fled on foot, only to be chased and caught by the security officer about a block away.
Murphy, 21, was booked into the Tulsa County jail on complaints of assault with a dangerous weapon, pointing a deadly weapon, possession of marijuana and petty larceny. Warrants had been issued for his arrest on robbery and burglary charges in early December and various traffic offenses.
Murphy initially was booked into jail under a false name he had supplied, but police later learned his real identity. He could face an additional charge of false impersonation, TPD Officer Jeanne Pierce said.
Murphy is held in lieu of nearly $105,000 bail.
