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August 5, 2009

Joint probe snares theft ring

By BOB GIBBINS

A joint city-county investigation has solved a series of burglaries and auto thefts and led to the seizure of approximately a pound of marijuana.

Authorities have arrested Robert Finch, Wade Ritchie, Fabian Aguilar and Avery Bear. Tah- lequah Po -lice Detective Capt. Dale Glory said another potential suspect re- mained at large Tuesday morning.

Glory said Ritchie, Aguilar and Bear face counts of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Finch has multiple burglary and auto theft counts, as well as the marijuana charge. Associate District Judge Mark Dobbins denied bond for Finch and Ritchie, and set Bear’s at $15,000 and Aguilar’s at $25,000.

Undersheriff Ja -son Chennault said burglars shattered glass and broke into the Midway Store at Woodall and the Dollar General Store in Cookson. Burglars entered the Farmers Co-op in Tahlequah on the same morning of the rural store burglaries.

Chennault said he met with Glory and TPD Detective Jeff Haney to compare notes. Investigators learned a white pickup with a toolbox in the bed and an emblem on the door was used to transport a safe from the Cookson burglary. They later determined the truck was one that had been stolen from NSU.

NSU reported two maintenance trucks stolen. One of the vehicles was discovered burned in the Welling area late last week, and the other was found Tuesday.

Glory learned that Finch, Ritchie and Aguilar were staying in the room at the Tahlequah Motor Lodge. Finch opened the door when investigators knocked at the motel room and was immediately arrested when officers spotted marijuana in plain view in the room. Aguilar was hiding in the bathroom.

Property taken from the Co-op was found in the motel room.

Finch admitted the NSU truck thefts, as well as the Co-op burglary, Glory said, but the suspect initially denied knowledge of the two store burglaries.

Reports state Finch also led authorities to a location in Dry Creek, where other property taken from the Co-op had been stashed. The property included chainsaws, weedeaters, gloves and knives. A pickup stolen from Joel Allen was recovered near the property.

Chennault said Finch ultimately admitted the store burglaries.

Ritchie has pending felony cases. Finch is on a deferred five-year judgment. Aguilar had an outstanding warrant for a probation violation.

Police Chief Clay Mahaney said Tuesday he was pleased with the efforts of his agency.

“The guys worked hard and made a quick recovery of the property that was stolen from the Co-op, as well as the vehicles,” he said. “I also like the way we were able to work with the sheriff’s office and help them solve some of their cases.”

The successful investigation also set well with Sheriff Norman Fisher, who has long advocated agencies working together.

“It’s a good thing to see the guys getting together and comparing notes and helping each other,” he said. “When we can help each other that way, it also helps the people we’re sworn to protect.”

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