NORMAN — A day-long string of crimes — a shooting, robbery, high-speed chase and manhunt — that spanned Seminole and Pottawatomie counties ended with two men in handcuffs by Tuesday afternoon, police said.
Events leading up to the arrests began to unfold Tuesday morning.
According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the Seminole County sheriff and Konawa Police chief requested OSBI assistance in a crime spree that started at a Konawa medical center. At about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, two men walking past the Oklahoma Family Medical Center in Konawa carjacked Ruben Brewer.
Brewer fought back as a Good Samaritan also tried to help, according to OSBI officials. That Good Samaritan, Jimmy Cunningham, was shot and critically wounded. Cunningham was airlifted to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City. Brewer was taken by ambulance to Valley View Hospital in Ada with head injuries.
According to the OSBI, the two suspects fled in Brewer’s truck. They drove one mile south of Maud, stopped an OG&E contractor and stole his vehicle. The pair drove into Maud and allegedly robbed the Quick Stop at 218 E. Wanda Jackson.
Investigators said inside the store, the suspects demanded a customer hand over the keys to her vehicle. Inside this car, they then drove to the Trinity Baptist Church and stole the church van. From Maud, they headed to Tecumseh and allegedly robbed a pharmacy.
Officials said the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Department picked up the investigation from there. One of the suspects led police and sheriff’s deputies on a pursuit on state Highway 9.
The chase continued into Cleveland County.
The pursuit ended when one of the tires blew after Norman Police placed stop sticks — tire deflation devices in the road near 108th Avenue SE, Norman Police Sgt. Jennifer Newell, said.
That’s where Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s deputies took Bobby Cardenas, 44, into custody. Officials later apprehended Jason Masieo, no age listed, in Tecumseh.
OSBI officials said agents are investigating the shooting and assault and battery in Konawa, four carjackings and the convenience store robbery.
All Tecumseh schools were on lockdown for most of the day until the second suspect was taken into custody, according to Tecumseh Public Schools’ website.
The Shawnee News-Star contributed information to this article
