A suspected copper thief in Oklahoma allegedly took desperation to another level when he tried to escape a sheriff’s deputy by diving headfirst through a CLOSED glass window — and the wild getaway was caught on body camera.
The shocking incident unfolded when deputies with the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported burglary in progress at a vacant home on Sunset Lane.
According to reports, the deputy arrived at the property and discovered that the back door had been forced open. Once inside, the deputy encountered a man who was allegedly attempting to steal copper from the home’s appliances and walls.
The suspect was later identified as 24-year-old Rayven Lee Wooten.
Body camera footage released by authorities shows the deputy confronting Wooten inside the vacant property. The situation quickly became tense as the deputy repeatedly ordered him to take his hands out of his pockets, turn around and get on his knees.
The deputy could be heard warning the suspect that he was not following instructions and ordering him to surrender.
But instead of complying, Wooten allegedly made a sudden move that nobody could have predicted.
Rather than allowing himself to be taken into custody, the suspect took off running through the home. He then launched himself headfirst through a CLOSED living room window, shattering the glass as he made his escape.
After realizing the suspect had made it outside, the deputy radioed that the man had jumped through the window and was now running on foot.
The dramatic moment quickly became the most unbelievable part of the encounter, with the suspect seemingly willing to risk serious injury just to avoid being arrested.
Suspect Gets Away — But Leaves Behind a Major Clue
Although Wooten managed to get away from the deputy during the initial encounter, investigators reportedly recovered something that could make identifying a suspect much easier: his backpack.
Inside the backpack was a driver’s license, which authorities said helped them identify the man.
After making a dramatic exit through a glass window, the suspect allegedly left behind the very item that could help investigators connect him to the incident.
According to reports the deputy attempted to locate the fleeing suspect using a patrol vehicle and even deployed a drone during the search. Authorities also checked a nearby residence, but the initial efforts to locate him were unsuccessful.
Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Aaron Brilbeck described the unusual escape, explaining that the deputy was experienced but had never seen anything quite like it.
The sheriff’s office also appeared to recognize just how unusual the escape was when it shared the body camera footage publicly.
In its commentary accompanying the video, the agency joked that the suspect had taken the phrase “make a break for it” a little too literally.
The office also suggested that the suspect had missed his calling as a Hollywood stuntman.
While the footage may have viewers talking about the unbelievable escape, authorities are treating the incident as a criminal investigation involving an alleged burglary and attempted copper theft.
Copper theft can cause significant damage to properties because thieves may rip wiring and other materials from walls, appliances and electrical systems. Even when a building is vacant, removing wiring and fixtures can leave behind costly repairs and potentially dangerous conditions.
Investigators have not publicly detailed the full extent of the damage at the property.
Reports identify Wooten as facing charges that include burglary, resisting arrest and obstructing an officer.
The case has attracted attention because of the unusual method the suspect allegedly used to escape and the fact that he reportedly left his identification behind.
What began as a response to a reported burglary ended with a shattered window, a deputy chasing a fleeing suspect and a backpack containing a crucial identifying document.
The body camera footage offers a dramatic look at how quickly a police encounter can change — and how a suspect’s attempt to get away can leave behind evidence investigators may use to build their case.
For now, the incident serves as a reminder that an attempted getaway does not necessarily mean a suspect has escaped the consequences. Even when someone manages to run from the scene, evidence left behind can help investigators determine who they are and pursue the case through the legal system.
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