Masked Man Shakes Up a Morning Run, Then Starts One

BISHOP — She was only out for a run, but ended up at gunpoint by a masked man. That was shortly before 6:30 a.m., which was when Inyo County Sheriff’s Dispatch was alerted.

The story follows thusly — the victim running south on Ed Powers Road when a red Mini-Cooper passed her, then pulled to the side of the road. The driver stepped out and started towards her, wearing a full face mask with only two holes for eyes, carrying a handgun. As he instructed her to get on the ground, another vehicle approached from the south, prompting the suspect to flee and eventually head northbound on Highway 395.

The victim flagged down the driver of the second vehicle, who placed an emergency 911 call to Inyo County Sheriff’s Dispatch.

Dispatch then alerted California Highway Patrol as well as the Mono County Sheriff’s Office, the latter of whom spotted the vehicle near Tom’s Place and gave chase. The pursuit continued at speeds exceeding 120 miles per hour, the runaway vehicle eventually diverting at the Crowley Lake overpass at an estimated 80 miles per hour, hitting the guardrail, and coming to a crashing halt.

The suspect then fled on foot toward the Crowley Lake Community but was cornered and apprehended at gunpoint by Mono County Sheriff’s Deputies.

Unmasked, the face of 21-year-old Los Angeles resident Tommy Courtney met the light of day, then the harsh enclosure of the Inyo County Jail on charges of armed robbery, brandishing a firearm, felony possession of a firearm, vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, evasion, and parole violation.

Due to said parole violation, Courtney is being held without bail.

Read more:

News4: Man arrested for driving under the influence after hitting guardrail

Mono County Sheriff press release