Full Notification

Officers with the Wichita Falls Police Department made two traffic stops approximately 15 minutes apart last night that resulted in numerous felony arrests and the seizure of various types of narcotics and a firearm.

The first took place at approximately 8:00 PM in the area of Airport and Central Fwy. WFPD Officers observed a silver in color Kia Sorento being driven by a subject that the Officers knew from prior dealings.  Officers had prior knowledge that the driver did not have a valid driver's license.  When Officers initiated the traffic stop they observed a small bag being thrown from the passenger window.  Officers were able to recover the bag which contained a substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine.  The driver of the vehicle was Jose Whitfield (w/m 072085) and the passenger was identified as Malinda Pittman (w/f 011488).  As Officers were investigating they discovered Whitfield to be in possession of marijuana.  While conducting an inventory of the vehicle Officers located several prescription pills.

Whitfield was arrested for Manufacturing/Delivery of a Controlled Substance in Pentaly Group 1 over 4 grams under 200 grams, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of a Controlled Substance in Penalty Group 3 under 28 grams, and Tampering with Physical Evidence. Officers seized .35 ounces of marijuana, 42.5 grams of methamphetamine, and 2.8 grams of prescription pills.

Pittman was arrested on unrelated warrants.  Both suspects were transported to the Wichita County jail without incident.

The second stop came approximately 15 minutes later in the area of 22nd and Central Fwy.

Officers conducted a traffic stop on a silver in color Chrysler van.  It was occupied by the driver, Pedro Suarez (w/m 041485) and passenger Tara Purvis (w/f 012987).

A WFPD K-9 Unit responded to the scene and conducted an open air search around the vehicle.  WFPD K-9 Turko alerted to the odor of narcotics within the vehicle.  Officers searched the vehicle and located a bag containing a white "ice-like" substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine.  A firearm was also found in the vehicle close to where the narcotics were located. Both the firearm and the methamphetamine, that weighed 16.2 grams, was recovered.

Both suspects were arrested and transported to the Wichita County jail wiothout incident.

Both Suarez and Purvis were charged with Manufacturing/Delivery of a Controlled Substance in Pentaly Group 1 over 4 grams under 200 grams. Due to Suarez being a convicted felon he was also charged with a Felon in Possession of a Firearm.