Suspect Identified in Lowrey School Burglary; Authorities Recover Stolen Items

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office is investigating a burglary that took place at Lowrey School in Tahlequah over the weekend.

Maintenance staff discovered several outbuildings had been broken into on Sunday morning, October 20, and reported the incident to the school resource officer, Deputy Dustin Tannehill.

Tannehill reviewed surveillance footage that captured a male suspect entering the school campus at approximately 5:00 a.m. The suspect was seen riding a red bicycle and carrying bolt cutters. By Monday, October 21, Deputy Tannehill, along with CCSO investigator Sgt. James Carver identified 36-year-old Richard Bradley Ryals as a suspect after speaking with neighbors in the Moody’s area.

At Ryals' residence, investigators found a red bicycle and a duffel bag containing items stolen from the school. While Ryals was not present, the stolen property was recovered and returned to Lowrey School.

Authorities have requested an arrest warrant for second-degree burglary for Ryals and are asking anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office at 918-456-2583.