Police chase with stolen RV ends in drainage ditch in northwest Oklahoma

A chase involving a stolen RV ended in an accident in northwest Oklahoma City on Thursday. The suspect drove the RV off-road through a park and fell headfirst into a drainage ditch.

The concrete ditch that 32-year-old Cole Hopper fell into was in Smitty Park near I-44 and Pennsylvania Avenue. Police said Hopper stole the RV and had crack and fentanyl on him when he was arrested.

“This is something that is fairly new or unusual for us,” said Msgt. Gary Knight of the Oklahoma City Police Department.

A slow-speed car chase in a motorhome ended with a bang on Thursday morning.

“It’s unclear exactly what this person intended to do with the RV, but it was stolen,” Knight said.

The vehicle was reportedly stolen from Camping World on Broadway Extension. An officer spotted the RV near I-44 and May Avenue.

“When they tried to stop it, the RV fled,” Knight said.

Officers pursued the RV through neighborhood streets. Police said Hopper drove off the road and crashed into Smitty Park, drove through a fence and fell headfirst into a concrete ditch.

“This obviously disabled the vehicle,” Knight said. “The driver got out and fled on foot. He was arrested a short time later.”

Police described Hopper as a career criminal. He served a prison sentence for manslaughter and was charged in prison with illegal possession of contraband. Hopper was recently arrested and charged with drug possession in McClain and Cleveland counties.

Following the pursuit, Hopper was booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center. He was charged with auto theft, eluding police, drug possession and drug trafficking. His bail was set at $37,500.