A string of crimes has dragged Norman into the public eye in past weeks, leaving many locals wondering if it's outgrown its sleepy, college-town image.

The most recent of events was at 7:30 p.m. June 8, when the Norman Police Department made its largest single seizure of illicit drugs its history.

In conjunction with the FBI, Norman's special operation's unit made unrelated arrests that led them to a suspicious location, said Capt. Leonard Judy, public information officer for Norman police.

Judy said from evidence gained in the previous arrests, the special operations division gained sufficient cause and a search warrant to enter a private home at 1194 NE 36th St.

Inside the residence Judy said police seized 200 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $140,000 and 10 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of $110,000.

Police also seized a handgun, a grenade and a stolen rifle from Texas at this location, he said.

Sgt. Darry Stacy, of Norman's Special Operations Unit, said due to the ongoing federal investigation, the department is withholding the names of the suspects involved.

Judy said federal charges are still pending on the suspects as well.

But this is just one of the cases that have stunned the community.

Since May 31, the police department has seen two murders, a hit-and-run manslaughter case followed by a high-speed chase, a hostage situation and an "America's Most Wanted" "star" posing as a Normanite.

According to a Norman Police press release, a 49-year-old construction worker, Martin Hughes, was killed in the early morning hours of May 31 at the Guest Inn Hotel, 2543 W. Main St.

Moore Police later apprehended two suspects, Alexander Hixson and Michael Burton, both Norman residents, after viewing their suspicious behavior outside a convenience store, according to the release.

It stated that upon police's approach, the suspects attempted to flee their vehicle, which it stated was later identified as Hughes' stolen truck, and after a brief search, it said a handgun was recovered.

The release stated police are presently unable to identify it as a murder weapon.

On June 2 Norman police were called out to the 800 block of East Lindsey Street to serve Joshua C. Wilson with an outstanding warrant from Sedgwick County, Kansas.

Wilson refused to open the door and allegedly attempted to barricade himself inside his house as he held his 14-month-old daughter hostage, according to the release.

Wilson surrendered hours later at 9 a.m.

Although that story had a happy ending, the sun set and rose, and two more people lost their lives in the city limits.

In the early morning hours of June 3, a post-Red Earth Festival party in a field east of Northeast 12th Avenue and south of Tecumseh Road rambled on, Judy said.

He said shots rang out and a hail of bullets rained out into the crowd, which he said quickly scattered.

Andrew Supernaw was shot and killed in the incident according to reports.

Two suspects, Brian Ponkilla and Aaron Prado, were taken into custody in connection with the murder three days later.

Later that evening across town, the police department reported that a truck rear-ended an Acura, driven by Robert E. Manchester.

The Acura, along with another vehicle, was pushed into the intersection of Northwest 36th Avenue and Main Street, Judy said.

The release stated that as an officer arriving at the accident attempted to retrieve Manchester from his burning vehicle, it stated that Michael Barfield, the suspect the release stated was driving the truck, attempted to flee the scene.

The officer's patrol car became Barfield's transportation of choice, Judy said.

Police reported that the suspect was later taken into custody after leaving the car parked near University Boulevard following a collision with a third car.

Judy said Manchester died from internal injuries. He said he believed Barfield was under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and that may have been a cause of the wreck.

But as all the commotion settled in Norman, a tile setter reportedly residing in the area for the past seven months was about to stir the pot again.

Police reports stated that a man, who was later identified as Yoni Salazar Avilla, entered the Norman Police Department visibly intoxicated around 10 p.m.

"He walked up to a private citizen and said something in effect to, 'I killed a big guy,'" Judy said.

After apprehending the suspect, Judy said he was taken to Norman Regional Hospital for further observation because of his extreme state of intoxication.

Following his release from the hospital, Judy said the department had identified the suspect as a man featured on the show "America's Most Wanted."

According to the press release, Avilla was wanted by authorities in Allen County, Ind., as a suspect in the machete killing of Eduardo Sepulveda after a poker game gone wrong.

But despite the recent crime trend, Judy said Norman is growing, and for its size, it is still relatively safe.

"It's not the sleepy college town that it once was. It's the third-largest town in the state," Judy said. "(But) we rank among the lowest in crimes per capita."
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