Man arrested, accused of posing as police and robbing victim in wheelchair

(TULSA, Okla.) On Sunday at around 1:50 a.m., Tulsa Police Department IMPACT officers were conducting 2nd and Elgin enforcement during bar closing. As bars were letting out, a disturbance started to develop in front of Ripley’s Bars near 1st and Elgin. Before we could make out what was happening, a white male was observed chasing a smaller Hispanic male towards the parking lot where several officers had been staged. Once they reached the lot, the white male subject had tackled the Hispanic male and pinned him to the ground. As we intervened, the male had advised that the subject just robbed and assaulted a subject in a wheelchair. As officers attempted to take the Hispanic male into custody, the subject resisted by turning over and grabbing an officer’s leg in an attempt to take him to the ground. Officers easily defeated his efforts and were able to take him into custody. Once the subject was taken into custody and during a search of his persons, a loaded .38 revolver was located inside his waistband. The suspect was identified as Juan Medrano. Medrano has a lengthy criminal history including robbery, assault, and drugs. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the suspect had contacted the victim, who was seated in his wheelchair, in front of the Bar and began speaking to him and identifying himself as law enforcement officer. During the conversation, the suspect grabbed a large gold chain that was around the victim’s neck and pulled him so violently, that it pulled the victim completely from his chair causing him to land face first on the pavement. A bystander observed this and gave chase until police intervened. Officers were able to obtain video surveillance of the entire incident, which showed very clearly the entire incident. The victim sustained minor injury to his face and leg. Medrano was booked into D.L. Moss and charged with: ROBBERY 2ND DEGREE AFCF, LARCENY FROM A PERSON AFCF, POSS FIREARM COMMISSION FELONY AFCF, FALSE IMPERSONATION AFCF, POSS MARIJUANA AFCF, OBSTRUCT/INTERFERE W/POLICE OFFICER, FALSE IMPERSONATION OF A PEACE OFFICER.