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STILLWATER, Okla. — Updated May 9, 2026: Stillwater police have arrested two people in connection with a series of auto burglaries, and a third suspect is still being sought. The case started when a resident near 9th Avenue and Country Club Road reported that an unlocked car had been broken into overnight and that a wallet and a firearm were missing.
Officers arrived at the scene around 8 a.m. on Oct. 1. The victim told police the vehicle had been left unlocked, and the items had been taken sometime during the night. No suspect description was released in the initial report.
The first major development came after investigators followed a tip to an apartment at 1300 W. 4th Avenue. There, police found 25-year-old Laquantae Weece with the stolen gun. Weece was arrested on complaints of possession of a firearm after a prior felony conviction and possession of stolen property.
Detectives did not stop after that arrest. They gathered additional information and obtained a search warrant for a house in the 300 block of S. Terrill in Payne County. The Stillwater Police Department's Multijurisdictional Special Operations Team served the warrant as a high-risk search, a procedure used when the investigation suggests weapons may be present. Officers recovered multiple firearms and several other items believed to be stolen.
Patrick Christopher Sr., 44, was taken into custody at that residence. He faces the same two complaints as Weece: felon in possession of a firearm and possession of stolen property. No bond information was immediately available.
Stillwater police say the arrests are connected to a cluster of auto burglaries reported in the same area. In several incidents, residents said their vehicles were left unlocked, and thieves made off with guns, wallets, and other valuables. The department has used the case to repeat a familiar warning: lock vehicle doors and do not leave firearms inside.
The search continues for Trenton Deshawn Christopher, 19, who is wanted in connection with the investigation. Detectives have asked anyone with information about his location to contact the police. They have not said whether he has been formally charged or whether he was involved in the initial theft.
One of the most important parts of this case is the effort to match recovered guns with their legal owners. Police believe several of the firearms found during the searches may have been stolen. A firearm with a recorded serial number gives investigators a way to trace where it came from and whether it was used in any other crime. Residents who may be missing a firearm are encouraged to file a report with local law enforcement and include the serial number.
From a public-safety perspective, stolen guns are a bigger concern than many other items taken from cars. A handgun taken from a glove box can end up on the street within hours. In Oklahoma, possession of a firearm by a felon is a separate felony offense, and the same is true for knowingly having stolen property. The Payne County district attorney will review the evidence and decide whether to file formal charges.
The case also highlights how quickly a routine property crime can escalate. What starts as an unlocked car can become a dangerous situation when a weapon is involved. Police have noted that auto burglars often target vehicles with visible items, and a gun case or wallet on a seat can make a car stand out. Removing those items, parking in well-lit areas, and confirming that doors are locked are basic steps that reduce the odds of becoming a victim.
The investigation is still active. Authorities have not ruled out more arrests, and they continue to examine other burglary reports in the same neighborhood. The two arrested men have not been publicly identified in court records yet, and no court dates have been announced.
Anyone with information about Trenton Deshawn Christopher is asked to call the Stillwater Police Department. Anyone who believes a recovered gun might belong to them should also contact local law enforcement with proof of purchase or ownership, such as a serial number.
Stillwater police have made clear that they want these cases handled in the open. The recovery of stolen guns is only part of the work; the other part is making sure victims get their property back and that the people responsible are held accountable. In the meantime, the simplest advice remains the same: take the keys, lock the door, and bring valuables inside.
