Tuesday, January 28th 2025, 7:53 pm
Witnesses called 911 after spotting a man at the center of a manhunt emerging from a creek in Norman.
“He is a dangerous individual, we understand he has warrants, maybe out of multiple counties,” said Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lieutenant Eric Foster.
Benjamin Douglas, 19, had been hunkered down in a creek for hours.
Witnesses said just as he thought investigators were letting up--he tried to slip away but didn't get far.
“Once they left he come out and thought he come out thought was in the clear,” said witness Ted Lee.
Ted Lee works near the area where teams of investigators, drones, and tracking dogs spent the afternoon. “You start doing the math on the man hours, the assets, the dogs,, the drones. Why? For one person? Absolutely,” said Foster.
OHP and Norman police posted an image of Douglas to social media. They said the teen had multiple run-ins with the law.
“We’re not out here necessarily capture bad guys. We’re out here to keep people safe,” said Foster.
The hours-long search started in Noble after four people fled during a traffic stop and Douglas got away.
A helicopter--beared down on creek vegetation with investigators noting Douglas was known to hide in trees and thick brush.
Officers flanked by rifles and search dogs suddenly shifted focus. “I just kept honking the horn to get attention,” said Lee.
Lee was aware of the search that had gone out outside his place of work and blared his horn—hoping to alert law enforcement to Douglas’ whereabouts. “I said that’s him you could tell he had that look,” said Lee.
One of Lee’s colleagues snapped a video of a shirtless Douglass running past them and called 911. “They literally had them cornered in there, but somehow he avoided them,” said Lee.
Seconds later officers swarmed a backyard where Douglas was found and arrested. Curious and concerned OU students watched as it unfolded.
“I don’t know why someone would want to do that, throw their life they have so much to live for,” said University of Oklahoma student Payton Bullock.
“Especially after hearing the message, alerts, and stuff like that, it threw us all off guard,” said University of Oklahoma student James Harvey.
A total of four individuals three males, and one female were taken into custody. OHP said all four were wearing masks when they fled from police.
The stolen vehicle they were in was reported stolen out of Oklahoma City.
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