OKC Police: Lookout fell asleep during attempted Belle Isle shoplifting

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — A metro man and his wife's alleged getaway plans were stopped last week after Oklahoma City police say they were caught trying to steal from a Belle Isle store.

The incident happened August 21 at the Nordstrom Rack store along Belle Isle Boulevard in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City police say store employees caught Candis Garner stuffing her purse with sunglasses, watches and shoes.

"She was able to conceal over $1,000 worth of merchandise," said Sergeant Dillon Quirk with the Oklahoma City Police Department.

Police say that when an officer was walking Garner to their patrol car, she got upset and yelled at her husband, "Thanks for telling me the cops were here."

Police say her husband, Brandon Burkholtz, was supposed to be her lookout for a potential getaway in case authorities showed up.

"It's not unusual for, possibly in certain situations, for somebody to look out for police as another person is possibly committing a crime," said Quirk.

Police say Burkholtz was standing on the corner of the store building and was eventually placed into custody. Burkholtz told police the reason he was not able to tell his wife police were outside was because he was unable to.

"He indicated that he had fallen asleep there and failed to notify her that police had arrived," said Quirk.

Police say a lookout falling asleep while someone is committing a crime isn't usual.

"It's not common for it to happen," said Quirk. "But it again, in this case, it worked out for police."

Both Burkholtz and Garner are facing felony larceny charges.