Wingman spirit resonates outside of Tinker’s gates

Published Jan. 31, 2012
By Brandice J. O'Brien
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- What began as a typical Tuesday evening ended with several acts of bravery, three arrests and the wingman spirit resonating through the streets of Oklahoma City.

Five Southern Nazarene University students, four of whom are associated with Tinker, caught three robbers just moments after they broke into a vehicle.

"We had no business chasing down these three guys, but the fact these guys came after and showed support just shows the character and quality of people that the university and military are forming," said Mary Martin-Smith, of the 72nd Air Base Wing Civil Engineer Directorate, whose vehicle was burglarized. "You can't meet nicer guys. These are all really great gentlemen."

On Dec. 13, the last day of classes before the Christmas break, the Biblical Studies of Western Culture class was dismissed 30 minutes before its scheduled ending time. With two female peers, Ms. Martin-Smith left the Destiny Christian Center on 29th Street. Something atypical and disturbing caught their attention. Three males were walking southbound on a dead-end street away from a vehicle that had its door open and interior light on. Putting the pieces together, Ms. Martin-Smith said she realized it was her 2004 bullet-gray Isuzu Axiom. The men walked faster and eventually ran, fleeing the scene.

Ms. Martin-Smith said she ran toward her vehicle while her pregnant classmate ran after the suspects. When she reached the vehicle, Ms. Martin-Smith noticed the men had taken educational Christian compact discs and inexpensive jewelry. She called 911 and with her sport utility vehicle followed her classmate and the suspects. The woman eventually stopped her chase, but the males continued running along the buildings.

After seeing some of the commotion, Elijah Langhorne, a senior airman with the 72nd Security Forces Squadron who is also in the class, said he surveyed the scene by the Destiny Christian Center, fearing Ms. Martin-Smith had gone after the suspects. He was with classmates Jason DeSpain, of the 552nd Training Squadron and 513th Operations Support Flight, and Steve Brown, a retired technical sergeant, in his vehicle.

After he realized she had left the area, Mr. Langhorne called Ms. Martin-Smith, who had driven west to a nearby grocery store's parking lot. She stayed there, waiting for the police. Mr. Langhorne, Mr. DeSpain and Mr. Brown offered their assistance in finding and catching the suspects. They compared information and shortly thereafter, Joel Soto, a staff sergeant with the 552nd Operations Group, joined Mr. Langhorne and Mr. DeSpain.

Mr. Langhorne said he drove the guys through the neighborhood, looking for the suspects and soon found two of them.

"I wasn't even thinking, I threw it in park and ran after them," Mr. Langhorne said. "I was shouting at them and had my flashlight on them."

The chase led Mr. Langhorne to jumping over fences, running through backyards and behind buildings, while Mr. Brown stayed with the car and Mr. DeSpain ran down the street following the suspects and Mr. Langhorne.

"It's amazing to me that they stepped up and did that," Mr. Brown said. "I'm the kind of person that wouldn't take off after the suspects; I'd just call the cops. I was just there to back up the guys. I didn't want them to be out there alone."

Mr. Langhorne and Mr. DeSpain caught two of the suspects, and held them until police arrived.

Once the men were apprehended, Mr. Soto and Mr. Brown left the scene. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Soto noticed the third suspect walking down the street. Mr. Brown and Mr. Soto called 911 and followed him in Mr. Soto's vehicle. Another police vehicle was dispatched and arrested the man.

The group, composed of a Caucasian, African-American and mixed race men, were between the ages of 16 and 21. Allegedly the incident was premeditated and it wasn't the first time they had burglarized a vehicle.

Their achievements aside, Mr. DeSpain said chasing down suspects is not recommended. In fact, if several precautions are taken, an event like this can potentially be avoided.

Mr. DeSpain and Mr. Langhorne said don't leave valuables in plain sight, be aware of your surroundings and situational awareness.

As a result of the incident, Ms. Martin-Smith said SNU officials have initiated more safety preventative measures including additional lighting and a security presence.