Marlow Police Department deals with with series of car thefts

The Marlow Police Department encourages residents not to leave their keys or valuables in their cars and to lock them, amidst a streak of car thefts.

The latest incident saw the juvenile driver failing to stop at a stop sign and striking the West Wind Assisted Living home and colliding with 2 of the facility’s transport vans.

The car was traveling westbound on West Kiowa Street and failed to stop, then traveled west on 9th Street before striking the Assisted Living home and two cars in the parking lot.

The driver was apprehended after a short pursuit on foot after the juvenile had bailed from the vehicle.  

Officer Marcus Edwin Mercer stated that he attempted to make a stop after noticing the reckless driving before the vehicle sped off, running three stop signs before running off the road and striking West Wind. 

The juvenile driver ran into the wooded area behind West Wind when Officer Mercer was aided by Officer Heston Howell in pursuing the suspect.

“This is the third stolen car that was spotted by our officers,” said Marlow Chief of Police Ronnie Smith, “and I think it’s impressive that in all three incidents the cars were returned to their owners, the culprits arrested, and in some cases without the owner even knowing their cars were stolen.” 

Smith continued, praising his officers for their work. 

“The common denominator here in this unfortunate string of stolen vehicles is drivers leaving their keys in their cars,” said Smith. 

“We strongly encourage residents to lock their cars and to keep their keys with them in their homes.”