Crestline Kidnapping Suspect, Now Identified as Big Bear Resident, Arrested Following High-Speed Chase on 91 Freeway

The parolee-at-large, wanted by the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station since Monday, for alleged kidnapping and felony assault with a deadly weapon, is now in custody—though after a high-speed chase on the 91 Freeway yesterday. The suspect, Thomas Murphy aka Corporal, is now being identified as a resident of Big Bear. Per the statement issued since his arrest: “On Wednesday, June 24, the Twin Peaks Station received a phone call from a detective at the Fountain Valley Police Department in Orange County. The detective got a phone call from a confidential informant stating that he was at a business in Fullerton and was looking at Thomas Murphy, a wanted felon out of the Crestline area. Shortly after, an agent from the California Department of Corrections called the Twin Peaks Station and was advised of Murphy’s whereabouts. Law enforcement officers from the Fullerton Police Department and the Department of Corrections went to the business and located Murphy. When they attempted to contact him, he fled in his vehicle. Murphy led the officers on a high-speed pursuit on the 91 Freeway at speeds up to 100 mph. He exited the freeway and drove recklessly on surface streets before hitting several vehicles and damaging several police units. He jumped out of his vehicle and fled on foot before being captured by the Fullerton Police Department. No citizens or police officers were injured in the pursuit or arrest. Murphy will be booked on Felony Evading, Hit and Run and Resisting Arrest. He will also be held on a Violation of Parole warrant. Two additional charges of Kidnapping and Assault with a Deadly Weapon will be reviewed by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.”
For additional background on Murphy, read our stories posted June 23 and March 4.