(Cushing, Okla.) Early this morning, just after 5:30 a.m., Cushing police officer Matthew Piatt was parked near the intersection of 9th and Wilson Streets, when he saw a blue 1992 Cadillac drive by him. Officer Piatt recognized the vehicle as one known to be possibly driven by Cushing resident and arrestee Timothy Scott Murrell, WM, 29. Murrell had two outstanding Payne County warrants for his arrest. One of the warrants was connected to the Thanksgiving weekend burglary of the police property and evidence room.
Piatt began following the car when it pulled into a driveway in the 1200 blk E. 9th Street. While the officer was observing, he saw Murrell get out of the driver’s seat and jump into the back seat. Given Murrell’s actions, Officer Piatt approached the car and found Murrell hiding on the back floorboard with his head and arms covered up, not moving. Inside the vehicle, in plain view, in the front seat area was a semi-automatic 9MM handgun, which was later determined to have a loaded magazine inside of it.
Officer Piatt told Murrell to show his hands and unlock the car door. Murrell refused numerous police orders to unlock the door and surrender to police. Police had to break out a car window so Murrell could be taken into custody without further incident.
During an inventory of the car, police found drug paraphernalia, a digital scale, a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, a white crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine, in addition to other items suspected of being connected to illegal drug activity. The substances seized during the inventory will be sent to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation for further analysis.
Murrell was arrested and taken to the Cushing jail where he was processed on numerous charges, which included possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana without a tax stamp, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a car without a valid drivers license, transporting a loaded firearm, possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number, possession of a firearm after former felony conviction, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance within 1000′ of Rotary Park.
“I want to commend the officers involved in this investigation and arrest, Officer Matthew Piatt, MPO Justin Sappington, Officer Rachel Hentges, Officer Carson Watts, Sgt. Jack Ford, and Detective Adam Harp. They brought a necessary, safe end to this incident,” Chief Terry Brannon said. “Officer Piatt did an excellent job remaining vigilant, which has led to Murrell’s removal from our streets.” “This arrest was made possible in part because our officers had been sharing intelligence with one another regarding Murrell. It has taken some months to arrest Murrell, but the fact remains now, he, a handgun and illegal drugs are off our streets,” Brannon said.
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