LAKE ELSINORE: Parolee, released just five days earlier, arrested after bank robbery

LAKE ELSINORE — A man who had been out of jail for only five days after being released from custody on a felony parole violation was re-arrested Saturday, Dec. 9, after he allegedly robbed a bank before leading deputies on a dangerous, high-speed pursuit.

Officials allege that during the chase the suspect, who was later identified by officials as Thomas Jerome Burke, 25, of Murrieta, threw wads of cash from his speeding vehicle, either while attempting to discard evidence linking him to the robbery or in an attempt to cause an accident to help him get away from pursuing deputies.

Burke remains hospitalized and is being treated for injuries he sustained when he crashed into anther vehicle while fleeing from deputies after the alleged robbery, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Dan Ponder explain after the incident and arrest.

According to Ponder, after Burke is released from the hospital, he will be booked on suspicion of robbery, felony evading, and parole violations.

Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Lake Elsinore Police Station responded to the Canyon Hills Marketplace on the 29000 block of Canyon Hills Road in Lake Elsinore about 4:15 p.m., after receiving a 911 call from a bank employee reporting the robbery.

Witnesses told emergency dispatchers and investigating deputies that the suspect fled the scene in a gold Buick sedan, and was last seen heading westbound on Railroad Canyon Road towards the Interstate 15 freeway.

Deputies responding to the scene eventually spotted Burke fleeing in his vehicle  as he was traveling on the northbound Interstate 15 freeway.

When Burke noticed deputies behind him he immediately attempted to evade apprehension, at which time deputies initiated a vehicle pursuit.

“During the pursuit, the suspect threw evidence from the robbery onto the freeway,” Ponder explained. Burke then exited the freeway at Cajalco Road at which time he plowed into another vehicle.

“The suspect was taken into custody without further incident,” said Ponder. Burke was apprehended just over twenty miles from the location where the alleged robbery occurred.

After his arrest, Burke was transported to a local hospital for treatment of serious injuries he sustained in the collision.

Officials did not specify the nature or extent of Burke’s injuries.

The vehicle Burke smashed into at the end of the chase fled the scene after the collision and has not been identified or located, according to Ponder.

With assistance from California Highway Patrol, deputies called for the temporary closure of the I-15 so they could gather and collect cash and other evidence Burke had tossed from his speeding vehicle onto the freeway.

Before officials could close the freeway and recover the discarded cash, witnesses reported seeing several motorists pull over along the freeway where they were then seen scooping up wads of cash before leaving the area.

Detectives are actively seeking any witnesses who can provide license plates, vehicle descriptions or other information that can assist with recovering the cash and other evidence.

An online jail records search conducted Monday evening, Dec. 11, indicated Burke had not yet been booked on charges related to the robbery or pursuit.

His most recent arrest information indicated Burke was released from custody Dec. 4, just five days before this incident and arrest; after he was arrested Nov. 28 on Arboretum Way in Murrieta for possession of drug paraphernalia, driving on a suspended license and felony violation of parole.

Anyone with additional information about this investigation or any cash picked up by motorists along the I-15 is urged to immediately call Riverside County Sheriff’s dispatch at (951) 776-1099 or the Lake Elsinore Police Department at (951) 245-3300. Callers can refer to incident file number L173430073 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, who recently moved from Riverside County to Shasta County, runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.