Jailed man accused of pursuit that critically injured Lawton police officer

Accused of leading police on a high-speed New Year’s Eve pursuit that resulted in a Lawton Police officer’s injuries in a crash, a man already jailed for burglarizing the Beville Museum is facing more charges.

Robert Grayson Griffith, 28, of Lawton, made his initial appearance Tuesday in Comanche County District Court where he received felony charges of endangering others while eluding police and larceny of a motor vehicle, records indicate.

Griffith is accused of stealing a Chevrolet Tahoe from the Lawton Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge/Ram parking lot, 215 SE Interstate Drive, the morning of Dec. 31, 2023. Offsite security reported he was tampering with the vehicle and police were called, the probable cause affidavit states. When police arrived, he fled in the Tahoe.

With officers in pursuit, Griffith took off westbound on West Lee Boulevard, driving into oncoming traffic and blowing through stop and traffic lights at speeds over 100 mph, the affidavit states. While driving parallel with Griffith, Lawton Police Officer Marcus Ward left the roadway west of Southwest 52nd Street and Lee Boulevard and struck a telephone pole, Detective Abe Woelfel stated. The pursuit was terminated.

Ward sustained serious injuries and after being extracted from his vehicle using the Jaws of Life tool, was airlifted to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City where he was admitted in critical condition. His condition stabilized and he has undergone surgery for unspecified injuries. A bracelet fundraiser to assist Ward and his family has been set up at https://form.jotform.com/240006486719054.

On Jan. 1, police located the stolen Tahoe at 710 SW I and it was impounded. Griffith was arrested later that day for another case and admitted to the theft of the Tahoe and the police pursuit.

Last Friday, Griffith appeared in court for felony charges of second-degree burglary and larceny of a motor vehicle, records indicate.

Griffith is accused of burglarizing the Beville Museum, 901 SE 4th, between 6-11 a.m. on Dec. 24, 2023, by removing a padlock from the front gate, according to investigators. A black Eliminator steel car hauler, valued at $7,500, and a 1946 Chevrolet pickup valued at $25,000, were stolen as well as several car parts from the lot, the probable cause affidavit states.

Griffith has a November 2023 felony conviction in Comanche County for entering with intent to steal copper, records indicate.

Held on $15,000 bond with the condition he have no contact with the victim or witnesses in the burglary case, Griffith received another $25,000 bond for the auto theft and pursuit case. He returns to court at 3 p.m. March 26 for his preliminary hearing conferences in both cases, records indicate.