APD: Theft Suspect Found Hiding In Canal After Crashing During Pusuit

A theft suspect was captured by Anderson Police after a chase Wednesday evening. At around 7:40PM the APD Problem Oriented Policing Team was patrolling retail shopping centers when they saw a pickup truck in the Safeway parking lot that was suspected of being connected to a recent theft. Officers tried to stop the bright red Nissan truck for a traffic violation but the driver reportedly fled down Balls Ferry Road and onto Southbound Interstate Five. It was followed down the exit at the Factory Outlets and the driver attempted an evasive maneuver but struck a sign, disabling the truck. The driver and the other two occupants scattered and a perimeter was set up with help from the CHP. A helicopter crew spotted 33-year-old Thomas Edward Whitmore of Palo Cedro, the owner of the truck, in a nearby canal. He was told to surrender or Ivan the K9 would be sent after him. After several warnings Whitmore came out of the canal on his own and was arrested for evading and resisting. He said he fled because he thought he had a warrant, but he did not. The other two people were not found.