Helicopter helps Tulsa police arrest 18-year-old accused of going 150 MPH on motorcycle

Tulsa Police arrest an 18-year-old driving a motorcycle that officers say flew all around Tulsa at speeds up to 150 miles an hour.

Police didn't pursue him but used their helicopter to keep an eye on him until he stopped for gas. That’s when they arrested Blake Johnson.  

Police say this is a major problem and they get complaints from people all the time about motorcyclists speeding and swerving in and out of traffic. Tulsa Police has a policy not to chase motorcycles for traffic violations because it's too dangerous for everyone.

How did police catch Blake Johnson?

Tulsa Police say officers tried to pull over Blake Johnson for speeding, driving recklessly and not having a license plate, but they say he took off. Officers didn't pursue him because of the high speeds, but TPD's helicopter was already in the air patrolling and the pilot spotted Johnson.

"They found the motorcycle traveling at speeds between 120 and 150, in the city, outside the city. So, Oklahoma Highway Patrol gets involved, other outside agencies kind of pursue and disengage, so they just keep an eye on this motorcycle,” said Captain Richard Meulenberg with Tulsa Police.

Police say Johnson blew through several stop lights and kept driving at speeds well over 100 mph, but, he eventually needed gas.

"We've got officers kind of waiting in the area, the helicopter let us know he was coming back, so when he went to get gas, officers pounced on him,” said Meulenberg.

What can police do to stop drivers like this?

Captain Meulenberg says they get complaints all the time about motorcyclists speeding, and he says police are limited on what they can do because Tulsa Police has a policy that prevents officers from pursuing motorcyclists most of the time, especially for traffic violations.

"The question is why? Why can't we chase a motorcycle, well if we are chasing someone just for speeding, and they are doing in excess of 100, 120, 130 miles per hour, and they get into some collision, injuring themselves, killing themselves, or somebody else, what's the value of the chase? We have to evaluate all of that,” said Meulenberg. "So, it's a balance. How much enforcement can we do for traffic violations?”

What are the concerns for other drivers on the road?

"They don't expect a motorcycle to zip by them at three times the speed limit. So, they are going to react to that. That's where we have danger for other motorists for the most part is these motorcyclists who are basically taking their own lives at risk, and zipping in and out of traffic, the other motorists who aren't prepared for that, could swerve, they could go into oncoming traffic just because they are trying to respond to this motorcyclist,” said Meulenberg.

Johnson was booked into the Tulsa county jail facing several charges for aggravated speeding, eluding, no insurance and not having a license plate.