Stacey McCurry, a Stillwater man, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against the Grady County Sheriff’s Office seeking the return of his Yamaha four‑wheeler, which was stolen from his property in 2020. The vehicle was recovered by Grady County deputies in 2021, but the department kept it, citing a judge’s order that allowed the sheriff’s office to title the vehicle in its name.
Background of the theft and recovery
According to McCurry, thieves broke into his property, bypassing multiple padlocks on two shipping containers, and stole the four‑wheeler. He paid roughly $6,000 for the vehicle and had only used it a few times before the theft. After filing a police report with the Payne County Sheriff’s Office, McCurry received no further communication until early this year, when the National Crime Information Bureau flagged the vehicle as recovered.
McCurry contacted the Grady County Sheriff’s Office to arrange pickup, but Undersheriff Kori Brewer told him the department would retain the vehicle. “It was awarded to us for keeping it,” Brewer said, adding that the office had installed new tires and a battery and spent about $1,060 on those repairs.
Sheriff’s office rationale
Brewer explained that a judge’s order allowed the department to title the four‑wheeler after prosecutors advised the agency to purge evidence from closed cases. “Because it’s titled in our name, we can’t just give it back because there’s money from taxpayers involved, and the taxpayers need to be made whole,” she said. When asked about the current value of the vehicle, Brewer admitted she did not know, noting that when the department received it, the four‑wheeler was essentially a frame with plastic and not operable.
Legal and community response
Payne County District Attorney Jeremiah Gregory said the sheriff’s office is not breaking the law but criticized the decision to keep the property. “They have items that belong to a victim of crime in the state of Oklahoma. They wear a badge and have a duty to turn those items back over to the victims,” Gregory said, adding that the justification was “nonsense” and an “ethical matter.” He warned that such actions fuel public distrust in government.
Brewer indicated the department is awaiting a judicial determination of ownership, stating, “We have to get to a point where a tort claim is filed and a judge decides who the rightful owner is.” Meanwhile, McCurry expressed disappointment, saying, “I expect more out of law enforcement. They are supposed to protect the community and return stolen property to its rightful owner.”
What this means for local residents
The dispute highlights how county agencies handle seized property and the importance of clear procedures for returning stolen items to victims. Residents of Grady County and surrounding areas are watching the case closely, as it may set a precedent for future handling of recovered personal property by law‑enforcement agencies.
The lawsuit seeks the return of the four‑wheeler, reimbursement for the $1,060 spent on repairs, and a court order clarifying the department’s authority to retain or release seized property.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
