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Witnesses fail to alert police to residential burglaries in Midwest City

Police Chief Brandon Clabes said witnesses to a string of daylight burglaries throughout Midwest City failed to call police while the burglaries were happening.
By Adam Kemp Modified: March 20, 2013 at 10:02 pm • Published: March 20, 2013

— People shouldn't hesitate to dial 911, police Chief Brandon Clabes said Wednesday.

Witnesses to a string of recent daylight burglaries throughout Midwest City have failed to call police while the burglaries were happening, the chief said.

“We are having eyewitnesses see these crimes happen, but no one is calling,” Clabes said. “We are doing our best, but it takes a partnership with the public to help stop this.”

In one case, witnesses watched as two suspects backed a truck into the driveway and ransacked the house for 30 minutes, taking the washer and dryer and even frozen food from the freezer, Clabes said.

“It wasn't until they sped off and the washing machine fell out of the back of the truck that someone called us,” he said.

Call goes out

An automated phone call to 25,000 Midwest City residents went out last week to raise awareness of the recent burglaries and to encourage people to call 911 when they see any suspicious activity.

“We think people hesitate to call 911 because they think it's for emergencies only,” Clabes said. “We want people to call. It could help prevent them from becoming the next victim.”


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by Adam Kemp
Reporter
Adam Kemp is a writer and videographer covering breaking news and crime for the Oklahoman and Newsok.com. Kemp grew up in Oklahoma City before attending Oklahoma State University. Kemp has interned for the Oklahoman, the Oklahoma Gazette and...
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We are having eyewitnesses see these crimes happen, but no one is calling. We are doing our best, but it takes a partnership with the public to help stop this.”

Midwest City Police Chief Brandon Clabes,