Man Accused of Felony Domestic Assault, Arson Leads Officers on Chase

Written by Renee Schiavone

A man wanted by the Monrovia Police Department was arrested at his Claremont home and jailed this week following an hours-long search, police reported

The man, identified as 43-year-old Thomas Christopher French, was arrested Wednesday, according to Claremont Police Lt. Shelly Vander Veen.

It was on that morning, at around 9:15 a.m., a Claremont police officer spotted French in the area of Scripps Dr. and Wheaton Ave.  French— who the officer knew was wanted by the Monrovia Police Department for felony domestic violence assault and arson charges— ran when police tried to contact him, according to Vander Veen.

"A perimeter was set and the area was searched by officers on foot and included the use of a helicopter and a K9 unit," Vander Veen said in a police report.  "The search continued for approximately three hours."

According to the lieutenant, while the search was going on, some other officers began to watch French's home.

"At approximately 12:10 PM, the suspect was observed returning to his residence and placed under arrest without further incident," she said.

He was taken to the Monrovia jail, where he was booked in lieu of $1,080,000, according to Vander Veen.