Convicted felon busted for pursuit, firearm possession, Victorville police say
VICTORVILLE, Calf. (VVNG.com) — Victorville police say a convicted felon was arrested Thursday after failing to pull over for a traffic stop and subsequently engaging in a pursuit with officers.
The chase started around 3:15 p.m. after Deputies J. Dean and K. Campbell attempted to pull over the suspects’ 2018 Chevy Cruz for traveling at a high rate of speed on the northbound I-15 freeway near Palmdale Road.
The driver, later identified as Thomas Strong, 22, of Victorville, failed to stop for officers and continued northbound before exiting the freeway at Mojave Drive.
Strong continued driving on several surface streets before coming to a stop at a residence in the 15500
Strong fled from the car on foot, while his two juvenile passengers were detained at the Morada location. Deputies pursued Strong on foot and captured him on Village Drive, according to a Victorville police news release.
Deputies searched the suspect’s vehicle and located a stolen handgun and ballistic body armor. A rifle and multiple rounds of ammunition were found at the home on Morada Road, officials said.
Strong, a convicted felon, was arrested and booked at High Desert Detention Center for evading a Peace Officer with disregard for safety, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition and receiving known stolen property.
According to public arrest records, Strong is currently being held on a combined total bail of $275,000. He is scheduled for preliminary arraignment in a Victorville courtroom on February 25, 2019.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the Victorville Police Department at (760) 241-2911 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760) 956-5001. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.
