By G. T. Houts
Lake Arrowhead, CA – On January 22, 2018 , at approximately 3:54 a.m., Deputy Kelly Bush of the Twin Peaks Station conducted a traffic stop on white, 2007, Nissan Frontier pickup truck for a lighting violation. The driver failed to yield and accelerated at a high rate of speed. The driver of the vehicle, (later identified as Thomas Heath, 26 years of age from Ontario), began driving erratically to avoid being pulled over by Deputy Bush. On two separate occasions during the pursuit, Heath drove through residential neighborhoods, on the wrong side of the street and into on coming traffic, nearly causing head-on collisions. His speed through residential neighborhoods reached approximately 65 mph. Due to deputies being concerned about public safety, they reduced their speed causing them to lose sight of Heath and his truck.
On the same day at approximately 11:15 p.m., Deputy Bush and Deputy Blake Stebing observed Heath’s truck in the 1200 block of Aleutian Drive, Lake Arrowhead. Both deputies attempted to make contact with Heath when he walked up to his truck. Upon seeing both deputies, Heath ran to avoid contact. Deputies identified themselves, and a foot pursuit ensued. Heath was apprehended a short distance away, after he was found hiding in some foliage behind a residence. Heath was taken into custody without further incident. Heath was found to be in possession of heroin, stolen property from recent vehicle burglaries, and tools used to commit burglaries. Deputies discovered Heath was also on felony probation out of Ontario, CA, for assault with a deadly weapon.
Heath was arrested for failure to yield, with disregard to safety, and violation of probation. He was transported and booked into the West Valley Detention Center. Additional charges of possession of stolen property and burglary tools to be filed with the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office. Heath if suspected of being involved in several vehicle burglaries throughout the mountain communities. If you have further information regarding this case, or additional burglaries connected to Heath, please contact Deputy Kelly Bush at the Twin Peaks Station at (909) 336-0600 or We-Tip 1-800-78-CRIME.