Suspect Wanted on Several Felony Charges from a Safe Streets Task Force/Patrol Investigation in April 2021 Arrested by U.S. Marshals near the Border in Texas
A Spokane Regional Safe Streets Task Force (SRSSTF) investigation concluded with a warrant charging the suspect, who has been on the run since April 2021, with Rape 1st Degree, Robbery 1st Degree, Kidnapping 1st Degree, Criminal Impersonation, Taking a Motor Vehicle Without Permission, and Malicious Mischief. Late last week, the U.S. Marshals, with the assistance of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, located and arrested the suspect in Texas, near the U.S./Mexico border. The suspect is being held pending extradition to Spokane County to face these charges.
In April of 2021, Spokane Valley Deputies responded to investigate a possible kidnapping. The Deputies located the female victim and the suspect. Deputies learned the adult female victim met the suspect, 32-year-old Warren J. Pittman, at a gas station in North Spokane. The incident quickly escalated when Pittman revealed he had a pistol in his waistband and led the victim to believe he was an undercover cop. Pittman told her she was in danger because people were out to get her, and he would protect her.
The victim, who was extremely upset and scared when Deputies contacted her, explained in a follow-up interview a couple of days later she quickly realized Pittman was not a cop and feared she could be killed.
As the investigation continued, Deputies searched some bushes next to the Shangri La Motel and located two semiautomatic handguns. A check of the serial numbers showed both guns had been reported stolen (Spokane County-2017 and Spokane City—2020).
Pittman was initially booked into the Spokane County Jail for Kidnapping 2nd Degree and two counts of Possession of a Stolen Firearm. The investigation was forwarded to the Spokane Regional Safe Streets Task Force (SRSSTF) for additional investigation. The courts set Pittman’s bond at $10,000, which he posted and was released two days later.
As SRSSTF members continued the investigation, they re-contacted the victim. Now safe and away from Pittman, the victim disclosed Pittman had sexually assaulted her, and she also provided a more detailed account of what took place. SRSSTF Investigators located additional evidence to include Pittman’s vehicle, which was seized pending a search warrant. After the search warrant was executed, Investigators contacted Pittman by phone to inform him the car could be picked up, but he said he was out of state and couldn’t get it.
Later, SRSSTF Investigators verified Pittman had crossed the U.S. States border and entered Mexico. As the investigation continued, Sergeant Palmer, then a Detective assigned to the SRSSTF as the lead Investigator on this case, developed probable cause to charge Pittman with Kidnapping 1st Degree, Robbery 1st Degree, Rape 1st Degree, Criminal Impersonation 1st Degree, Taking a Motor Vehicle without Permission, and Malicious Mischief. A warrant was issued with nationwide extradition.
On January 21, 2022, Investigators learned the U.S. Marshals Service, with the assistance of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, located Pittman and arrested him in Texas near the United States/Mexico border. He remains in custody pending extradition back to Spokane County to face these charges.
The Spokane Regional Safe Streets Task Force is comprised of the FBI, Spokane Police Department, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Spokane Valley Police Department, United States Border Patrol, and the Washington State Department of Corrections. The task force is dedicated to keeping our streets safe by fighting violent crime, including gang activity and drug trafficking.