A motorist stranded on U.S. Highway 69 near 13th Street Monday morning ended up under arrest after a routine check revealed multiple violations.
According to a report by Atoka Police Officer Zachary Rice, he responded to a call about a disabled vehicle in the northbound lanes around 8:23 AM. Upon arrival, he spoke with the driver, Robert Lee Stephens, who stated his vehicle had stopped running, and the key had broken off in the ignition. Stephens also mentioned that his wife, who worked nearby at O'Reilly Auto Parts, was on her way.
While speaking with Stephens, Officer Rice noticed the vehicle's license plate had expired in January 2025. Stephens acknowledged the expired registration. When asked for his driver's license, Stephens reportedly hesitated and then produced a State of Oklahoma identification card.
As they waited for his wife, Officer Rice ran his information through a mobile data terminal, which identified him as Robert Lee Stephens and revealed that his driver's license was revoked. A check of the vehicle's license plate also confirmed the registration expired on January 5, 2025, and no insurance coverage could be verified.
A short time later, Stephens' wife arrived and was able to start the vehicle. Officer Rice instructed her to move the vehicle off the highway due to Robert's revoked license. She drove the vehicle into the Chili's parking lot, where Officer Rice further discussed the violations with them.
Robert reportedly admitted to driving the vehicle on the roadway knowing his license was revoked. Neither Robert nor his wife could provide proof of insurance.
Robert Stephens was subsequently arrested for operating a motor vehicle while his driver's license was suspended/ revoked, failure to pay taxes due to the state (expired tag), no valid security verification form (no insurance), and a defective vehicle (implied by the initial breakdown). He was transported to the Atoka County Jail and booked without incident. The vehicle was released to his wife and left in the Chili's parking lot.
