Newcastle residents woke up to a tense scene early Thursday as police combed neighborhoods for suspects believed to be armed after a break-in at a marijuana grow operation in Grady County. A vehicle tied to the burglary was chased by Blanchard officers into Newcastle before it crashed in the 1300 block of South Dickerson Street, and several occupants reportedly bolted from the wreck on foot. Authorities said the suspects should be considered armed and dangerous, urged people to stay inside, and asked anyone who spots something off to call it in.
According to KFOR, Newcastle Police Chief Toby Garver said his officers joined Blanchard police around 3 a.m. after the burglary was reported at the grow facility. Blanchard officers located the suspect vehicle, pursued it to Newcastle, and watched it crash on South Dickerson Street before the people inside took off running. Investigators have not yet released descriptions of the suspects or details about the specific business they say was hit.
Police response and safety guidance
The Newcastle Police Department lists Toby Garver as police chief and provides non-emergency contact information for local residents. Officers from multiple agencies have been going door to door and working the area as they track leads. Officials are asking neighbors to stay alert and to report any suspicious people or activity directly to 911 rather than trying to confront anyone themselves.
Grow operations remain a target
Police say this is far from an isolated incident. Marijuana grow facilities across Oklahoma have repeatedly drawn criminals, with some robberies turning into armed takeovers and lengthy pursuits that end in wrecked vehicles. News On 6 documented a 2024 case where armed burglars hit a medical marijuana grow in Pottawatomie County, led deputies on a chase, and ultimately crashed. In a separate effort to crack down on illegal operations, KSWO reported on prosecutions and a major statewide bust that seized more than 41,000 plants tied to unlawful grow sites.
What officials want from the public
For now, officers are focused on tracking down the suspects who ran from the crash in Newcastle. Police are stressing that these individuals should be treated as armed and dangerous, and they are urging residents not to try to intervene. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 immediately. As KFOR reports, investigators are holding back further details about the suspects and the business that was allegedly burglarized while the case remains active.
