SAPD K9 Vader Uses the Force to Find Meth During Traffic Stop

SAN ANGELO, TX - Last night, San Angelo Police Service Dog Vader used the power of the Force in the fight against the dark side of drugs in San Angelo. As a result, 36-year-old Agapito L. Chappa, III was arrested.

Public Information Officer Tracy Gonzalez said, at around 11:30 p.m. last night, San Angelo Police conducted a traffic stop on a blue Dodge Caravan at Ben Ficklin and E. Avenue N. After the vehicle stopped, the driver exited but he was quickly detained. 

"Officers attempted to make a positive identification on the driver; however, the driver did not have any identification. Officers conducted a records check using the name and date of birth the driver provided and learned his driver’s license was not valid; he was placed under arrest." 

Gonzalez said Police Service Dog Vader responded to the scene and conducted an open-air “sniff” around the vehicle. 

"Vader alerted officers to the presence of narcotics, which led officers to discover a small quantity of suspected narcotics inside the vehicle. The substance field-tested positive for methamphetamine," Gonzalez stated.

A Street Crimes Detective responded to the scene and recognized the driver as Chappa, III, which was not the same name the man initially provided to officers. 

"Through a records check, it was determined Chappa had an outstanding arrest warrant for parole violation as well as an invalid driver’s license," added Gonzalez.

She said Chappa was charged with the outstanding warrant, Driving While License Invalid, Fail to Identify Fugitive from Justice, and 3^rd Degree Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1.

Chappa was transported to the Tom Green County Jail without incident.