Unused Turn Signal Directs Deputy to Wanted Felon
A Spokane Valley Deputy arrested 35-year-old Matthias M. Piggot after he falsely identified himself several times during a traffic stop. Piggot had active felony warrants for his arrest and was found to be in possession of methamphetamine.
On January 4, 2017 just after 11:00 p.m., Spokane Valley Deputy Samuel Turner noticed a vehicle fail to signal a turn in the area of 17th Avenue and S. Pierce Road in Spokane Valley. Deputy Turner also observed the driver roll through the stop sign at 16th Avenue and Pierce at an estimated speed of 5-10 mph. He conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle and contacted the male driver, later identified as Piggot, and two adult female passengers.
Piggot was acting very nervous, sweating profusely despite the extremely cold weather, and kept reaching around after he was instructed to stop. He falsely identified himself several times and was unable to provide a driver’s license, registration or proof of insurance.
Once Deputy Bitzer arrived to assist, Deputy Turner detained Piggot due to his furtive movements while he continued to try and correctly identify him. Deputy Turner arrested Piggot for Refusal to Cooperate/Provide Information after he provided additional false names and dates of birth. During a search after Piggot’s arrest, Deputy Turner located an Altoids can in Piggot’s right sweatpants leg that contained a chunk of a white crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine. After being advised of his rights, Piggot said the substance wasn’t his and didn’t know how it had gotten there. Piggot was informed he was also being charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine.
With Piggot’s true identity still not known, he was transported to the Spokane County Jail to be booked on the misdemeanor and felony charge. The two passengers were not charged and were released at the scene.
At the jail, Piggot finally provided his correct name and date of birth. Deputy Turner learned Piggot’s driver’s license was suspended and he had valid felony warrants for his arrest (Washington Department of Corrections Escape Community Custody and an Idaho Probation Violation). Piggot was booked for Possession of a Controlled Substance-Meth, Refusal to Cooperate/Provide Information, Driving While Suspended and the warrants.
He was issued an infraction for the turn signal violation, the stop sign violation and operating a vehicle without insurance.