Friday, March 9th 2012, 8:08 am
Tulsa Police arrested a suspect in the killing of a woman who fought to prevent her minivan from being stolen.
Fugitive Warrant detectives arrested Destin Ray Rodriguez, 19, before noon on Friday. He was picked up at 102 South 33rd West Avenue. Police say he's not the primary suspect in the case.
Police say they are also looking for Brandon Maxwell, 18, and have charged him second-degree murder.
Police have identified the victim as Avonna Olson, 45, a laundry supervisor for Tulsa Public Schools.
Tulsa Police say it happened outside a home in the 300 block of South 43rd West Avenue shortly before 5:30 a.m.
According to Olson's husband, she had started their 2005 Dodge Caravan to allow it to warm up and went back inside. When they heard the van's door shut Olson ran outside and either climbed onto the hood or driver's door. As the thief drove off, Olson fell off and was run over.
Olson's husband was in the house and called 911.
Officers quickly located the minivan at the Sandy Park Apartments in the 6300 West 11th Place. Officers had the minivan hauled away so they could examine it more closely.
Police sealed off the complex and didn't let any adults in or out for about an hour Friday morning.
Olson began working for Tulsa Public Schools as a custodian, then was promoted to laundry supervisor.
Tulsa Public Schools issued the following statement concerning Avonna Olson's death,
"We are saddened by the senseless death of Avonna Olson, a TPS employee in our Plant Operations area for the last 15 years. Avonna was a passionate person who loved her children and grandchildren, and she greatly enjoyed her job and Tulsa Public Schools. We will miss her greatly."
March 9th, 2012
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