An Oklahoma man accused of stealing copper made a dramatic escape by diving headfirst through a closed window—only to leave behind a clue that quickly helped deputies identify him.
The unusual confrontation happened Oct. 1 after deputies with the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office were called to a reported burglary at a vacant house on Sunset Lane. The details were featured in body-camera footage released by the agency.
Inside the property, a deputy encountered Rayven Lee Wooten, 24, of Nicoma Park. Authorities allege he was removing copper wire from a dishwasher.
Rayven Lee Wooten is seen inside the vacant home as a deputy repeatedly instructed him to turn around and kneel on Oct. 1. (Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office)
In the video, the deputy repeatedly tells Wooten to remove his hands from his pockets, face away from him and get down on his knees.
“You’re not listening,” the deputy warned. “Turn around and get on your knees. You will get shot.”
Rather than comply, Wooten dashed through the kitchen before launching himself headfirst into the closed living room window. The sudden move drew a shocked expletive from the deputy.
“He just bailed out the window. He’s on foot,” the deputy reported over the radio.
Body-camera footage shows an Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office deputy confronting Rayven Lee Wooten, who was suspected of stealing copper from the vacant home on Oct. 1. (Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office)
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Although Wooten initially got away, deputies said he accidentally abandoned his backpack. His driver’s license was inside, giving investigators a direct lead to his identity.
The sheriff’s office later highlighted the unusual escape while sharing the dramatic footage online.
“A suspect took the phrase ‘Make a break for it’ a little too literally!” the agency said, joking that Wooten had “missed his calling as a Hollywood stuntman.”
Online viewers focused on both the deputy’s stunned response and the suspect’s decision to leave such an important piece of evidence behind.
Body-camera footage captures suspected copper thief Rayven Lee Wooten diving through a closed window while fleeing an Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office deputy. (Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office)
“So he did all that, then left his identification behind lol,” one commenter wrote.
“The deputy’s reaction … total disbelief,” another person added.
“Being flabbergasted and the frustration of unlocking the front door = priceless,” a third commenter said.
Officials said Wooten faces charges of burglary, resisting arrest and obstructing an officer.
