Safe Apprehension of Armed Suspect in Lone Pine

On Thursday, August 1, 2024, at about 6 pm, Inyo County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a private residence on Whitney Portal Road in Lone Pine regarding an assault with a deadly weapon: a firearm. The reporting parties advised the suspect, identified as Kurtis Blake Meyer, age 43 from Costa Mesa, CA, was known to be in possession of multiple weapons and ammunition.

Based on statements made by the reporting parties, it was determined any contact with Kurtis Meyer at his residence would likely result in a violent armed conflict. Based on this heightened risk of an armed confrontation, the multi-jurisdictional Special Enforcement Detail Team was activated. Working under the direction of Sheriff Stephanie Rennie, a planned surveillance operation was conducted with the goal of apprehending Kurtis Meyer in a manner to avoid an armed conflict and risk to public safety.

After several days of monitoring Meyers’ activity at the residence, the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office was able to apprehend Meyer without incident. Due to patient planning and coordination, a violent confrontation was avoided. Kurtis Meyer is currently in custody at the Inyo County Jail awaiting arraignment for the following crimes: 245 (a)(1) PC Assault with a deadly weapon (Firearm), 422 (a) PC Criminal threats, 368 (b)(1) Elder Abuse PC, and 594 (a)(2) Vandalism PC. Meyer’s bail is set at $100,000. Multiple firearms and over one thousand rounds of ammunition were seized from the suspect’s vehicle.

The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Mono County Sheriff’s Office, Mammoth Lakes Police Department, Bishop Police Department, California Highway Patrol, and the Lone Pine Fire Department for their assistance in this operation. The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office is proud to serve the people of Inyo County, and we see the success of this operation as a testament to the Department’s resolve to deescalate dangerous situations to prevent unnecessary harm to suspects while balancing our duty to ensure the safety of the community we serve.

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