Long-time absconded parolee one of two felons arrested during Anderson squatting investigation
ANDERSON, Calif., — Authorities say a long-time parolee at large, who has been on the run since 2018 and has successfully fled from law enforcement officers in the past, was arrested after fleeing from deputies conducting a squatting investigation in Anderson Saturday morning, Dec. 11.
The wanted man was one of two felons arrested during the investigation, which was in response to multiple complaints of people illegally trespassing and squatting at a residence in the 6200 block of Saddle Trail Road, between Blue Horse Road and Spring Gulch Drive, according to officials.
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Shasta County sheriff’s deputies responded to the home around 8 a.m. regarding multiple recent complaints of squatters living at the residence, Shasta County Sheriff Sergeant Bodner later said.
As deputies arrived at the location, several people began fleeing on foot from the property.
In his haste to elude apprehension one of those who fled the home, later identified as 31-year-old Khorey William Towery, ran directly toward the location where Sheriff’s K-9 “Fritz” and his partner were positioned and ready.
Seeing Fritz, Towery immediately surrendered to deputies, and later said he gave up so quickly because he did not want to get bitten by the police service dog.
Long-time parolee at large, Khorey Towery, (L), who has been on the run since 2018 and has successfully fled from law enforcement officers in the past, was arrested after fleeing from deputies during an Anderson squatting investigation. Felon Jonathan Best (R) was also arrested as a result of the investigation. Shasta County Sheriff’s Office photos
Deputies subsequently found Towery was in possession of a concealed dirk/dagger, methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia.
“Towery has been an absconding parolee since 2018 and had successfully fled from law enforcement officers in the past,” Bodner went on to explain; adding, “He had numerous warrants for property crimes, weapons charges, drug charges, and fleeing from/resisting law enforcement.”
Although none of the other subjects who fled were located, Bodner has said the Sheriff’s Office does not consider them to represent an immediate threat to public safety. The sergeant also said that fifteen additional people who had not fled the home and were detained inside the residence were given a trespassing admonishment and released from the scene.
Later, during a separate search of a trailer that was unlawfully parked on the property, deputies located a firearm and arrested the owner of the trailer, 41-year-old Jonathan Paul Best. Best is a felon and prohibited from possessing any firearms, according to Bodner.
Both Towery and Best were later booked into the Shasta County Jail in Redding.
Online jail records indicate Towery was booked into jail for his multiple outstanding warrants, as well as suspicion of possessing a controlled substance, carrying a concealed dirk or dagger, possessing unlawful paraphernalia, obstructing or resisting a peace officer, and destroying or concealing evidence.
Best was booked on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm, as well as two outstanding warrants for failing to appear on prior cases.
Booking records show both men remain in custody, with Towery being held without bail and Best being held in lieu of $110,000 bail or bond.
Anyone with further information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact SHASCOM at (530)245-6540. Callers can refer to incident file number 21S039669 and can remain anonymous.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
Trevor Montgomery, 50, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS).
Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.
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. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s 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.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 30 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 18 grandchildren.