MEDIA RELEASE – Narcotics Arrest

June 13, 2024

Released by Lt. A. Nance

On Wednesday night, June 12, 2024, at approximately 9:36 PM, law enforcement officers with the Pittsburg Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for traffic violations in the 1000 block of E. 10^th Street, in Pittsburg.  Pittsburg Narcotics Investigators assisted with the traffic stop.

The Pittsburg Police Department’s K9 Officer was requested to assist with this traffic stop and as officers asked the occupants to exit the vehicle the front seat passenger, identified as 22-year-old William Tyrone Andre Phillips, of Parsons, climbed into the driver’s seat from the front passenger seat and drove away from the traffic stop.  As Mr. Phillips drove away, he nearly struck officers with the vehicle.  Officers began pursuing Mr. Phillips while other officers detained the two passengers who previously exited the vehicle.  A brief vehicle pursuit ended when Mr. Phillips abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot. With a coordinated effort between officers, concerned citizens calling in, and the department’s K9, Mr. Phillips was located and taken into custody without incident.  Inside the abandoned vehicle numerous suspected counterfeit fentanyl pills were located as well as a handgun. After Mr. Phillips was placed under arrest Officers searched the area for property discarded by Mr. Phillips.  Pittsburg PD K9 Officer backtracked the route of the pursuit and located a box containing a large quantity of suspected counterfeit fentanyl pills believed to be discarded during the pursuit.

The two occupants, 45-year-old Jermaine Justin Oliver, of Fort Scott, and 24-year-old Tyreek Tutwiler, of Parsons, who were detained at the location of the original traffic stop, were found to have warrants for their arrest.  Mr. Oliver had a traffic warrant out of Crawford County Kansas and Mr. Tutwiler had a traffic warrant out of Labette County Kansas.  Both Mr. Tutwiler and Mr. Oliver were also found to be in possession of suspected counterfeit fentanyl pills.

Mr. Phillips was arrested for felony flee and elude, two counts of felony aggravated assault on law enforcement officer, felony distribution of narcotics, possession of narcotics, felony interference with law enforcement, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, and misdemeanor driving while a habitual violator.

Mr. Tutwiler was arrested for his Labette County warrant, felony distribution of narcotics, felony possession of narcotics, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Mr. Oliver was arrested for his Crawford County warrant, felony distribution of narcotics, felony possession of narcotics, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Mr. Phillips, Mr. Tutwiler, and Mr. Oliver were transported to the jail at the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office for booking and are currently being held without bond.

In total an estimated more than 1,000 suspected fentanyl pills were located stemming from this incident.

Mr. Phillips, Mr. Tutwiler, and Mr. Oliver are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing at this time.  Anyone having information related to this incident, or other crimes, is urged to contact the Pittsburg Police Department at (620) 231-1700, or at our automated tip line, (620) 231-TIPS (8477). Callers may remain anonymous.

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