08/20/2020 – On Thursday, August 20th, 2020 at approximately 10:00 AM, Owasso Police responded to a reported shoplifting at the Owasso Walmart Supercenter located at 12101 East 96th Street North.
Store employees advised a suspect had stolen several items, including clothing and a machete from the store and was fleeing the area in a vehicle. The suspect was described as a white male, wearing a black hoodie, camo shorts and a purple face mask.
An officer located the suspect traveling near 10100 East 96th Street North in Owasso. When the officer turned in behind the suspect, the suspect ducked into a cul-de-sac in the Fairways neighborhood near 9900 East 95th Street North.
The officer made contact with the suspect and observed the stolen merchandise in plain view inside the vehicle. The suspect was detained and later placed under arrest by Walmart Loss Prevention for the theft of merchandise totaling less than $100.00. While conducting an inventory of the suspect vehicle officers came across a cache of fireworks, medium-sized stones, and other materials that one would expect to find in the possession of a rioter. One of the larger items had the appearance of a homemade “bomb”.
Radio traffic on the police band radio on whether or not to summon the bomb squad for proper disposal prompted media inquiries about the call. Upon closer inspection, the item in question was determined to be a professional grade “artillery” firework that had all of the outer wrapping removed. While the item does have the vague appearance of a homemade explosive it was determined to be no more powerful than a firework.
The suspect, 34yo Michael Phillip Sabella of Owasso was arrested on charges of Larceny of Merchandise from a Retailer. The stolen merchandise was returned to the store.
