Lawton police: Men were busted mid-burglary

A pair of Lawton men are behind bars again after police said they were busted in the middle of a burglary.

Keith Allen Snyder, 46, and Thomas Vance Collins, 39, each made their initial appearances Tuesday in Comanche County District Court, records indicate.

Snyder received felony charges of second-degree burglary and conspiracy to commit second-degree burglary, records indicate. Due to two prior felony convictions, he faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of conspiracy.

Collins received the same two felony charges as well as misdemeanor charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Records indicate that due to four prior felony convictions, he faces up to 40 years in prison for the conspiracy charge.

Lawton police were called shortly before 9 a.m. Sunday to GLT Exteriors, 1620 S. Railroad, after Snyder was caught on camera trying to pry open the business’ front door with an unknown object, the probable cause affidavit states. Owners arrived and found Snyder and Collins in the building, according to Officer Tiffany Sparks.

When police arrived, Snyder and Collins tried to flee through an overhead door to hide on the property. They were caught and a search of Collins turned up a baggie containing 4.3 grams of meth as well as a glass pipe used to smoke it, the affidavit states.

Snyder has two prior felony convictions from Comanche County: June 2023, second-degree burglary; and August 2023, knowingly receiving or concealing stolen property, records indicate. He received two seven-year suspended sentences. The District Attorney’s office filed a motion to revoke his suspended sentences.

Collins has four prior felony convictions in Comanche County: July 2004, knowingly receiving or concealing stolen property; January 2007, unlawful possession of controlled drug with intent to distribute; and February 2014, possession of a firearm after former felony convictions and knowingly receiving or concealing stolen property, records indicate.

Snyder is held on $75,000 bond and Collins received a $30,000 bond. The men return to court at 3 p.m. March 26 for their preliminary hearing and Snyder’s review conferences.