Three Men Arrested Following Organized Jugging Investigation
Three men were arrested Wednesday following an auto burglary investigation that began at a business near I-240 and Santa Fe Avenue and resulted in the recovery of stolen cash and the identification of suspected members of an organized criminal group.
At approximately 12:00 p.m. on October 28, 2026, an Oklahoma City Police Property Crimes Specialist employee responded to a reported auto burglary at Lowe's near I-240 and Santa Fe Avenue. Our specialist learned the victim had recently conducted a banking transaction before stopping at the store. While the victim was inside the business, suspects broke a window of the victim's vehicle and stole cash left inside.
Based on the circumstances, we believed the crime to be a jugging incident, a crime in which suspects observe individuals leaving financial institutions and then target them in an effort to steal cash.
Information regarding the incident was immediately shared with specialized investigative units to include CRIME and Investigations. Members of the Santa Fe Crime Unit and Southwest Crime Unit quickly obtained and reviewed surveillance cameras from the area, leading to the identification of a suspect vehicle.
Using surveillance technology, including Automatic License Plate Readers and CCTV systems, investigators found the vehicle and established surveillance. A traffic stop was later conducted, and three suspects were taken into custody. Detectives recovered cash during a search of the vehicle.
The following individuals were arrested:
- Jalen Gross, 32, of Houston, Texas
- Dennis Earl, 42, of Houston, Texas
- Datavien Arvie, 22, of Houston, Texas
All three suspects were booked on:
- Burglary III
- Conspiracy to Commit a Felony
Investigators believe the suspects are affiliated with a Houston-based criminal street gang that has been linked to similar jugging incidents in Oklahoma City and surrounding jurisdictions.
Arrest warrants were presented to a judge, who authorized bonds of $100,000 for each suspect.
The successful resolution of this case was the result of coordinated efforts between patrol officers, forensic personnel, detectives, and crime unit investigators, whose rapid information-sharing and collaborative investigative work led to the identification and apprehension of all three suspects.
Public Safety Reminder
The Oklahoma City Police Department encourages residents to avoid leaving cash, firearms, purses, wallets, or other valuables inside unattended vehicles. Individuals who have recently conducted banking transactions should remain aware of their surroundings and immediately report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.
Media Contact: OKCPD Media Relations, (405) 297-1111
###
Follow us: X/Twitter • Facebook • Instagram • YouTube
Work with us: joinokcpd.com
|
