Published: September 08, 2008 10:28 pm      

Edmond Police halt thirsty would-be thieves

EDMOND — A pair of thirsty thieves attempting to abscond with SunnyD, Dr. Pepper, Crystal Light lemonade and Swiss Miss hot chocolate were halted by Edmond Police and a vending company’s security system.

Paul Blair, 45, owner of Blair Vending & Coffee, said he got a call early Monday morning about a burglary in progress at 411 Enterprise Dr.

When Edmond Police responding to the alarm call arrived at the business, they observed two females taking items from a refrigerated truck and loading them into a silver Volvo station wagon, according to a police report.

The suspects ignored the officer’s command to stop the vehicle, which sped off westbound on Enterprise Drive. As the suspects sped off, police called the tag number and vehicle description into dispatch and the vehicle was stopped at about 800 W. Kelly Ave. by Officer Jackie Collar.

The suspects, Theresa Denise Collins, 35, and Theresa Mae Simpson, 42, were each arrested on a complaint of second-degree burglary, police said.

During the search of the vehicle, about $375 worth of property from the vending company was identified and recovered, police said. The property was returned to Blair Vending & Coffee. No damage appeared to have been done to the truck.

A three-year starter at Oklahoma State University under Jimmy Johnson and a former Chicago Bears lineman, Blair said he got the call about the incident after a long day of work on Sunday. Blair is the senior pastor at Fairview Baptist Church in Edmond.

Blair said he was pleased with the effectiveness of his security system and the response of the Edmond Police Department. Blair said he has many friends in law enforcement and he respects the work they do.

Blair started the vending company in 1987.