By Associated Press
Tulsa, OK – Robberies up, other violent crimes down in Tulsa
TULSA, Okla. (AP) Midyear crime statistics indicate robbery reports in Tulsa are up 34 percent this year from the same time last year, while reports of other violent crimes have decreased.
Preliminary Tulsa police statistics show 707 robberies were reported this year in the state's second-largest city through June 29, 181 more than during the same period in 2009.
Police Sgt. Dave Walker says the spike in robberies could be linked to the availability of guns to young people, particularly teenagers.
From 2009 to this year, the number of reported homicides fell from 37 to 24, and the number of reported rapes fell from 166 to 100. There also were 297 fewer aggravated assault reports.
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Information from: Tulsa World, http://www.tulsaworld.com