Man arrested in $700 Kratom robbery at Tulsa smoke shop

Tulsa police arrested an unnamed man following a robbery at a local shop on Sunday. Officers recovered stolen goods worth hundreds of dollars during the traffic stop.

Officers responded around 11:44 a.m. to a reported strong-arm robbery at Puff Utopia Smoke Shop. The business is located near East 101st Street South and South Sheridan Road.

An employee said the suspect entered the store and walked behind the sales counter. He grabbed bottles of Kratom from behind the glass display case, police said.

The worker tried to intervene during the incident. Police said the suspect shoved the worker out of the shop door. He then ran away.

Witnesses saw the suspect leave in a white Dodge Ram truck, according to the department. They gave officers a partial license plate number.

The Tulsa Police Department used automated plate reader cameras to track the vehicle. Officers located the truck parked in a residential driveway.

Police set up surveillance down the street. Officers watched the suspect get into the truck and drive out of the Tulsa neighborhood.

Police stopped the truck near South Sheridan Road and East 94th Place. Officers took the driver into custody without incident.

Authorities searched the man during the traffic stop. They found five stolen bottles of Kratom inside his shorts pocket.

Officers returned the items to the business. The five bottles held an estimated value of $700, police said.

Police said the suspect confessed to taking the merchandise. He also admitted to shoving the worker, according to investigators.

The suspect told officers he was driving to turn himself in. Police then transported him away from the scene.

The Tulsa County Jail processes individuals arrested within the county. Detainees typically remain in custody until they post bond or appear before a judge.

Officers booked the suspect into the Tulsa County Jail. He faces a second-degree robbery charge, according to the department.