Tulsa Police Catch Suspected Serial Car Burglar at Park
Tulsa Police Say Serial Car Burglar Caught in the Act at City Park
A man Tulsa police describe as a serial car burglar is facing new charges after detectives say they caught him stealing from an undercover vehicle at Whiteside Park.
Police identified the suspect as 56-year-old Keith Overstreet, a man investigators say has repeatedly targeted vehicles at Tulsa-area parks. Detectives allege Overstreet watches for people to leave their vehicles unattended, steals cards and other property, and then quickly uses stolen debit or credit cards at nearby convenience stores.
The Tulsa park car burglar arrest followed an undercover operation Wednesday after investigators connected Overstreet to a recent string of vehicle burglaries. Tulsa police say he has previous convictions involving burglary and stolen credit cards and is suspected in recent cases dating back to July.
Tulsa Park Car Burglar Arrest Follows Undercover Operation
Investigators say Overstreet has developed a method designed to make the thefts difficult to spot.
Detective Michael Witham, who worked the investigation, told News On 6 that Overstreet would park extremely close to a targeted vehicle, allowing him to reach into the neighboring car while barely leaving his own.
“He’s very discreet about being caught,” Witham said, explaining that detectives needed to physically observe the alleged theft because Overstreet's technique made it difficult to capture clearly on surveillance video.
Police say Overstreet has targeted vehicles at several parks near East 51st Street and South Harvard Avenue, including Whiteside Park, LaFortune Park, Langenheim Park and Manion Park.
The Tulsa Police Department said its burglary detectives began investigating a string of recent vehicle break-ins after victims reported thefts at Manion, Whiteside and Langenheim parks. Police then began seeing charges made on the victims' stolen credit cards at local convenience stores.
Investigators say the thefts typically occurred during the late afternoon and early evening hours, when parks were busy and victims were more likely to be distracted.
According to police, Overstreet would watch potential victims and wait for an opportunity to target an unattended vehicle.
Investigators also allege he sometimes removed his vehicle's license plate before committing crimes in an effort to avoid identification.
Detectives Say Keith Overstreet Took Bait Cards From Undercover Car
Detectives ultimately decided they needed to catch the suspected burglar in the act.
On Wednesday afternoon, officers positioned an unoccupied City of Tulsa vehicle at Whiteside Park with cards visible inside.
Police say Overstreet arrived at the park around 4:15 p.m., parked beside the undercover vehicle, opened its door and took the cards from the cup holder.
Detectives followed Overstreet as he drove away and conducted a traffic stop. He was taken into custody without incident.
Police said Overstreet denied being at the park or breaking into vehicles.
The operation followed weeks of investigative work connecting Overstreet to recent burglary reports. Detectives allege stolen debit and credit cards were frequently used at area convenience stores shortly after vehicles were burglarized.
Tulsa police's online crime reporting system allows residents to report certain non-emergency property crimes, although the department instructs residents to call 911 for crimes in progress.
Police have not said every recent park burglary in the area is connected to Overstreet. Investigators have, however, identified him as a suspect in multiple cases and say the investigation remains ongoing.
Tulsa Police Say Overstreet Has Long History of Burglary Cases
Police say Overstreet is well known to the department's burglary investigators and has previously been arrested and convicted in burglary and stolen-credit-card cases.
Investigators told News On 6 that his criminal history stretches back decades and includes previous prison sentences. Detective Witham said police noticed another increase in burglary reports after Overstreet was released from prison in 2024.
“As soon as he got out of prison, we saw the uptick in our reports come right back,” Witham said.
Tulsa police's latest account says Overstreet was booked into the Tulsa County Jail on five counts of third-degree burglary and four counts of unauthorized use of a credit card.
That differs from an earlier report indicating four new burglary counts. The police department's current statement lists nine total counts, including the five burglary allegations and four credit-card allegations.
Court cases and filed charges can be tracked through the Oklahoma State Courts Network docket system.
The department's investigation could extend beyond the cases currently associated with the arrest. Investigators told News On 6 they believe at least 50 cases could potentially be connected to Overstreet.
For Tulsa residents, police say the alleged pattern carries a simple reminder: lock vehicles even during short trips into a park and do not leave wallets, purses, debit cards or credit cards visible inside.
Overstreet's arrest and the new allegations do not constitute a conviction. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
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