TULSA -- Police have arrested a man they say was involved in several auto-pedestrian crashes Monday which left one person dead.
We are at the home where police arrested the man accused of running over several homeless people in downtown Tulsa yesterday. pic.twitter.com/UHFsifxzA4
— Mycah Hatfield KJRH (@MycahHatfield) September 5, 2017
The man arrested was identified as Jeremy Thacker, 40. He was arrested on a count of first-degree murder and five counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
Jeremy Thacker previously convicted for assault & battery with a dangerous weapon in 2007. Mugshot from Okla Dept of Corrections. @KJRH2HD pic.twitter.com/jr14DahHz5
— Will DuPree (@willrdupree) September 5, 2017
Authorities made the arrest after a passerby called the Oklahoma Highway Patrol after spotting the truck in the 13700 block of East 46th Street North. A similar tip came into the Crime Stoppers line.
Officers just finished interviewing Jeremy Thacker about car attack on homeless people. Now they're taking him to the jail. @KJRH2HD pic.twitter.com/4RE2BT1HyY
— Will DuPree (@willrdupree) September 5, 2017
The first crash happened in in the 200 block of North Cheyenne in downtown Tulsa on Monday morning. Three people were struck and one person died.
The second crash was reported Monday afternoon near 14th and Denver. Officials said the victim had non life-threatening injuries.
Police suspect Thacker was behind both crashes.
The police report also said an incident happened before the first hit and run. A homeless person sleeping on a bench outside said a man believed to be Thacker hit him with a metal object. The victim said he yelled, which scared Thacker off.
Police executed a search warrant at Thacker’s rural Owasso mobile home late Tuesday afternoon.
Detectives said they found evidence to further their case but would not go into specifics.
Thacker’s landlord, who did not want to be identified, said he was arrested outside their homes that sit on the same piece of land on Tuesday morning.
"I got woke up by the police and they made me come outside and I come outside and I seen them arresting Jeremy," the landlord said. "I’m very surprised. He was a pretty good renter, minded his own business."
Less than a week ago, Thacker posted to Facebook about someone who does not have a job or money to pay a phone bill or rent. He said the person needs a ride and a cigarette and does drugs. No context was given as to who he was talking about.
Thacker pleaded guilty to an assault with a dangerous weapon charge in 2008 in Tulsa County and was sentenced to probation.
RELATED: 1 dead after 3 struck by pickup in downtown Tulsa Monday morning
Police said the vehicle that struck the victims in both crashes was a white, mid 1980s to mid 1990s regular cab Toyota or Nissan pickup. Police released photos of the truck after the crashes as they worked to identify the driver.
Police believe Thacker targeted homeless people.
His bond was set at $100,000.
Anyone with information about the crashes is asked to call police at 918-596-COPS.
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