SANTA ANA, Calif. (KTLA) — Police in Santa Ana have arrested a man wanted for multiple burglaries, who’s also facing a bizarre kidnapping charge.
Thomas Walker, 40, was taken into custody during an undercover drug operation on Wednesday evening in the 1400 block of East 1st Avenue, not far from where the original crimes occurred.
Walker, a local transient, was arrested for possession for sales of methamphetamine, which he sold to undercover officers.
His bail was set at $1 million. Police say that, based on positive identification by victims and witnesses, more charges will be added.
Walker is accused of entering an apartment in the 500 block of Lyon Street on Monday around 7:00 a.m. through an unlocked door.
Once inside, the suspect stole $100.00 from victim’s purse while she slept.
The suspect was then confronted by the victim’s son, at which point he fled.
Later in the day, around 2:00 p.m., police say the man returned to the same complex and forcibly entered a different apartment through a window.
Once inside the suspect confronted a female resident, grabbing her and holding her hostage for two to three hours.
The man told the woman that he wasn’t going to hurt her, and demanded that she cook him some food.
She complied and cooked him a meal while the suspect ingested narcotics, according to police. The suspect then fled on the victim’s blue beach cruiser.
Police received a tip based on media coverage of the case that Walker might be the suspect.
While they were working to fully identify and locate Walker, they got another tip from a person who had seen the suspect sketch and the information on the stolen beach cruiser.
She said that the suspect had abandoned the bike in her apartment complex, along with clothes that had been described in media reports.
She identified Walker as the person who returned to her complex looking for the abandoned bike.
Anyone with information is asked to call Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS (1-855-847-6227) or Santa Ana police Det. Verdugo at 714-245-8345.
21 Comments to “Cops: Man Who Forced Hostage to Cook Arrested”
February 28, 2013 at 3:29 AM
“Police believe he be a transient that frequents the area”….really KTLA?! Your online articles are very often filled with these kinds of typos. Doesn’t say much for the skill level of the person who is supposed to proof-read stories before posting them to the website. I prefer getting my news from your site but if this elementary type grammar continues, I will be getting my news elsewhere.
February 28, 2013 at 5:53 AM
3:29am… You are pathetic. Do you know how you… I hope that u DO go somewhere else. Whiner.
February 28, 2013 at 6:51 AM
Vta is right. We don't need lessons in Ebonics.
February 28, 2013 at 6:41 AM
That's right, sounds like she kept a cool head.
March 1, 2013 at 6:58 AM
I didn't notice I had a reply, sorry about that Sam. = )
February 28, 2013 at 8:19 AM
To bad she was not armed so she could have protected herself.
February 28, 2013 at 9:09 AM
You always seem to want the most violent solution to every situation.
How many times should she have shot him, in your opinion?
February 28, 2013 at 9:38 AM
Most of the time just showing a gun will cause a criminal to run
February 28, 2013 at 9:40 AM
Thank goodness you explained your comment.
So, you meant that it was too bad she wasn't armed so she could frighten him away?
February 28, 2013 at 9:43 AM
Sorry you don't understand things that are clear.
February 28, 2013 at 9:47 AM
What has always been clear in the past is that you advocate for the most violent solution possible to every situation. I was giving you the benefit of the doubt here, but you cleared up that misconception fast enough.
So, how many times would you have wanted this non violent suspect shot?
February 28, 2013 at 8:20 AM
Thank God he's quite a gentleman, he did not force the girl to do anything but cook, even though he desired her and held her hostage.
February 28, 2013 at 1:07 PM
A “gentleman” would take her out to eat.
February 28, 2013 at 10:50 AM
Big Deal! That's what the Woman is suposed to do anyway. Cook our dinner….
February 28, 2013 at 11:37 AM
In this case, breakfast.
March 1, 2013 at 9:25 AM
Meth? What a surprise….NOT!
March 1, 2013 at 10:57 AM
This low life should be allowed to gouge himself on prison food for about the next thirty years.
March 1, 2013 at 1:58 PM
Lock him up FOR GOOD and throw the key out in the ocean.