Man arrested in Arkansas in connection with three Oklahoma murders

A man linked to three murders in Oklahoma has been arrested in Arkansas, police say.

On Friday around 10 p.m., a man went to check on his brother, whom he had not heard from in a while.

When he reached the house, he found Phillip Emerson dead.

El Reno police said Emerson suffered injuries consistent with homicide and launched an investigation.

Neighbors tell News 9 that Emerson befriended a man named Stacy Drake at an AA meeting. They say it was a friendship that lasted about two weeks, and Drake even stopped by Emerson’s home.

Police currently have no motive, but they know Drake is the suspect after Emerson’s brother reported a black 1994 Chevrolet missing. “It was a key detail that helped connect the victim to the man, who turned out to be Mr. Drake,” said El Reno Police Chief Ken Brown.

Police believe Drake took Emerson’s truck and drove more than 180 miles to kill his next two victims in Sequoyah County.

People in El Reno say they are grateful Drake is finally behind bars, but they have been proven wrong. “I always gently tell my kids to keep the doors locked,” said neighbor Lorraine Price. “I’m shocked and scared. I’m just glad the police picked him up and took him into custody.”

Drake was arrested after a two-day manhunt. He was already charged with two counts of murder in Sequoyah County.

No charges have been filed in Canadian County so far.