'Wanted To Take Him Off The Streets': Tulsa Man Sentenced To 8 Years In Prison

A Tulsa man is headed to prison for eight years for a string of property crimes, including breaking into a Tulsa boutique with an axe and ransacking the place earlier this year.

Terry Drury's case was handled by the district attorney's office's new Crime Strategy Unit. It focuses on people with an extensive criminal history.

Prosecutors say Terry Drury has made a career of victimizing people, going back nearly three decades, and he's a poster child for CSU's creation. He was already on probation for three other thefts when he racked up more charges this year.

Drury has been in and out of prison since 1994 for burglary, stolen property, embezzlement, drugs, running from police, DUI, fraud, and other charges. He recently served three years of a ten-year sentence for several theft charges, and was released in 2021 but has been on probation since. While on probation, he's been arrested several times.

"He's committed several burglaries and also was caught with a stolen vehicle. In just a matter of months he's been able to terrorize the community and today we were able to send him to prison,” said Tulsa County Assistant DA Luke Thompson.

Drury broke into Black Sheep Boutique in Tulsa with an axe in October, ransacked it, and stole thousands in merchandise. Drury dropped his phone in the store, so police quickly identified him.

"He absolutely destroyed that place. That's someone's livelihood that the owner put a lot of time and effort into, and you need to know you are going to pay for that,” said Thompson.

The DA's crime strategy unit handles cases where the suspect has three or more prior felony convictions and prosecutors fight for harsher sentences.

"Mr. Drury has been on the news and we were aware of all the things he's picked up, and what he's been up to, and wanted to take him off the streets,” said Thompson.

Prosecutors say property crimes aren't victimless crimes.

"Shout out to the public defender’s office. We were able to come to an agreement quickly. I was able to convey the offer to all of my victims and they were all pleased,” said Thompson. "I hope this sends the message that you don't get to get away with things like this. You're going to pay for it."