Police Reports 1-25-24: felon reportedly threatens to 'shoot' officer and Walmart employee

A convicted felon allegedly threatened to shoot an officer who was investigating a shoplifting incident.

On Jan. 1, Tahlequah Police Officer Ohavyah Soto was dispatched to reports of an alleged shoplifting incident at Walmart. The officer entered the store and spotted the suspected man, Kyle Drywater. The man was detained and informed Soto he had a firearm on his person. Soto recovered the weapon and knives. Drywater initially claimed his name was Kosie, but he later admitted that was his wife’s name. According to Soto’s police report, Drywater threatened to “shoot” Soto and a Walmart employee. The $13 watch Drywater allegedly stole was retrieved, however; the man said he was “borrowing” it. Drywater, a convicted felon, was booked on tribal charges for possession of a firearm after a felony conviction, threatening to perform an act of violence, petit larceny, and obstruction.

Lt. Bryan Qualls responded to Walmart Jan. 3 due to an alleged shoplifting incident in which a man was accused of stealing a package of doughnuts and a pair of sunglasses. Employees said Jonathan Nyman fled on foot once he was confronted and dropped the stolen items in the process. Qualls was not able to locate Nyman during the investigation but eventually spotted him on South Muskogee Avenue. Nyman was arrested and booked for petit larceny.

On Jan. 4, Sgt. Lane Cobb and Officer Brad Baker responded to Burger King due to reports of a hit-and-run vehicle crash. The suspected driver, Tiffany McBride, along with a child, came back to the scene and met with officers. Cobb said McBride was unsteady on her feet and had an odor of alcohol on her person. McBride couldn’t follow simple instructions during the field sobriety test and was arrested for driving under the influence, child endangerment, driving while revoked, and leaving the scene of a vehicle crash.

Harvey Clayton was arrested Jan. 5 after officers were called to Walmart for another shoplifting incident. Clayton, who initially said his name was Michael, was accused of stealing a fuzz ball. Lt. Matt Frits found a package of macaroni salad in Clayton’s pocket. The man also possessed a glass smoking pipe. Clayton was booked for petit larceny, obstruction, and possession of paraphernalia.

On Jan. 6, Officers Bruce Gower was dispatched to North Grand Avenue due to physical domestic incident. The woman who called police said Jared and Alexander Wadsworth were intoxicated and fought inside the residence. Jared told officers that he didn’t do anything wrong and just wanted his vape. Alexander told officers to “take” him and placed his hands behind his back. Gower noted in his police report that officers responded to the same residence in November when a similar situation occurred. Gower brought Alexander to a family member’s residence nearby to see if he could stay there for the night, however; no one answered the door. Alexander was booked on tribal charges for public intoxication. Officer Austin Hughart was called back to the residence a short time later after the woman accused Jared of becoming physical with her during an argument. The woman appeared to have injuries consistent with what she said happened. Jared was arrested and booked on tribal charges for domestic assault and battery.

Officer Richard Berry was called to Walmart Jan. 6 after a suspected shoplifter fled the store on foot. Employees said Brandon Dawson was running toward Reasor’s. Officer Soto found the man and a foot chase ensued. Berry drew his firearm and Dawson was taken into custody. Dawson was booked for petit larceny and trespassing.

On Jan. 6, Officers Hughart, J.D. Alberty, and Zach Adams responded to a residence on Callie Avenue to serve an arrest warrant on Curtis Laster. According to Hughart, the warrant was for trafficking, possession of a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school, and maintaining a dwelling where drugs are kept or sold. Laster was taken into custody and officers located a syringe in his pocket. The man told officers the needle was used to inject methamphetamine. Laster was transported to jail and booked for the warrant and possession of paraphernalia.

Officer Hughart was dispatched to Sundown Tanning Jan. 6 for a man who was reportedly shooting fireworks from a vehicle at people on Downing Street. Officer David Trammell advised that he spotted the vehicle and Hughart conducted a traffic stop. The driver, Andy Rapalo, didn’t have a driver’s license and wasn’t able to provide insurance to the vehicle. Hughart could see fireworks in the backseat of the vehicle. Rapalo allegedly told the officer that he thought he was shooting fireworks at his friends, and he thought it was “funny.” Rapalo was booked for driving without a valid driver’s license, no insurance, throwing lit/flaming substance from vehicle, molesting/injuring a vehicle, and possession of marijuana.