Inyo County Sheriff’s Office Safely Apprehends Armed Suspect in Lone Pine
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LONE PINE, CA – On Thursday, August 1, 2024, Inyo County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a reported assault with a deadly weapon at a private residence on Whitney Portal Road in Lone Pine. The suspect, identified as 43-year-old Kurtis Blake Meyer of Costa Mesa, was known to be in possession of multiple firearms and a significant amount of ammunition, according to information provided by the reporting parties.
Given the potential for a violent confrontation, the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office determined that any attempt to approach Meyer at his residence could escalate into an armed conflict. As a result, the multi-jurisdictional Special Enforcement Detail Team was activated. Under the direction of Sheriff Stephanie Rennie, the team conducted a planned surveillance operation with the primary goal of apprehending Meyer while minimizing the risk to public safety.
After several days of monitoring Meyer’s activities at the Lone Pine residence, law enforcement officers successfully apprehended the suspect without incident. The operation, marked by careful planning and coordination, ultimately avoided any violent confrontation. Meyer was taken into custody and is currently held at the Inyo County Jail.
Meyer faces multiple charges, including Assault with a Deadly Weapon (245 (a)(1) PC), Criminal Threats (422 (a) PC), Elder Abuse (368 (b)(1) PC), and Vandalism (594 (a)(2) PC). His bail has been set at $100,000. During the arrest, officers seized several firearms and over one thousand rounds of ammunition from Meyer’s vehicle.
The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office extended its appreciation to 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 during the operation. Sheriff Rennie emphasized that the success of the operation highlights the Department’s commitment to de-escalating potentially dangerous situations while ensuring the safety of the community.
