Hooper Charged After Gun Theft

Bryan Randale Hooper

A felony arrest warrant was issued Jan. 21 for a Sallisaw man accused of several crimes. Hooper was arrested and released on $15,000 bond Jan. 22

Bryan Randale Hooper, 27, was charged with grand larceny, which is punishable by up to two years in the Department of Corrections and a fine of up to $1,000; third-degree burglary, punishable by five years in prison; and possession of a firearm after former felony conviction, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. 

On Jan. 2, a Sallisaw police officer learned that a Kimber 1911 LHX custom pistol had been pawned at a pawn shop in Broken Arrow. The pawn shop confirmed that the gun matched one that had been entered as stolen by the Sallisaw Police Department.

The officer contacted the male who said he had bought the weapon for $200. 

After an extensive investigation including interviews with multiple people who had been in possession of the gun, officers were able to identify Hooper.

Officers were able to locate Hooper at a Sallisaw residence where he was caring for the children of one of the women interviewed. When asked about the gun, Hooper acted as if he knew nothing about it, then said he found it on the side of the road in a black bag. He said he sold for $50.

The officer informed Hooper that he had been working on the case for a while and that Hooper looked like the person who was seen getting in the vehicle the gun was stolen from. Hooper admitted getting into a red truck and taking the bag from inside. 

Hooper was then advised that he wouldn’t be going to jail that day because he had children in the residence. A warrant was subsequently issued.

Laura Brown, KXMX Staff Writer

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