A search was underway Tuesday in a field near the Alan J. Couch juvenile detention center in Norman after a juvenile escaped from the facility, according to police. Multiple agencies, including Cleveland County deputies and Norman police, spread out across the area in a coordinated effort to find the escapee. Officials kept details close, declining to release a description of the juvenile while the search remained active.
According to KOCO, the juvenile fled from the Alan J. Couch Center, which sits on Tecumseh Road near 12th Avenue Northwest. KOCO crews observed officers combing nearby open ground, and the station reported that police have not released any identifying information about the juvenile. Cleveland County deputies were assisting Norman police as the search continued, KOCO added.
Where officers are searching and how to report tips
The Norman Police Department lists its non-emergency line as 405-321-1444 and asks people to call 911 if they see someone who appears to be fleeing custody, according to the department’s public page. The Norman Police Department also posts resources on reporting suspicious activity and department contacts.
Background on the Couch Center
The Alan J. Couch Center is the county juvenile detention facility and has long been part of local planning discussions about juvenile services in Norman. The Norman Planning Commission has referenced the facility and nearby institutional uses in its minutes. Authorities say they will release updates as the search continues, and media outlets are expected to follow developments.
