The Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a Twentynine Palms felon who led deputies on a high-speed pursuit. According to Sheriff’s reports, deputies were patrolling the area near David Way and Adobe Road in Twentynine Palms around 4 a.m. Thursday (June 24) when they saw a red GMC pickup truck traveling northbound on Adobe Road toward David Way. Deputies conducted a traffic stop on the truck for vehicle code violations and contacted the driver, later identified as Thomas Furney, 36. During the traffic stop, Furney became uncooperative with Deputies. He fled the location in his vehicle, leading deputies on an approximate 8-mile vehicle pursuit into the unincorporated area of Wonder Valley.
Deputies lost sight of Furney’s vehicle during the pursuit and later located the vehicle near the intersection of Falderman Road and Sunny Sands Road. During a search of the vehicle, deputies located a loaded .22 caliber rifle under the passenger seat. Deputies also located Furney’s footprints and tracked them for several hundred yards, but ultimately were unable to locate Furney. As a convicted felon, Furney is prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm and ammunition. A warrant was issued for Furney’s arrest for Felony Evading of a Peace Officer, being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Carrying a Loaded Firearm, and being a Felon in Possession of Ammunition. Anyone with information related to the investigation is urged to contact Deputy J. Merrell at (760) 366-4175. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may contact We-Tip at 1-888-78-CRIME.
