Female victim held at gunpoint

At 6:30 a.m. on July 29, Inyo County Sheriff’s Dispatch was notified that a female victim, who was out for a morning run along Ed Powers Road north of Bishop, was approached at gunpoint and that the suspect had fled northbound in a red Mini-Cooper.

The victim was running south on Ed Powers Road when she noticed the red Mini-Cooper pass her, and then pull off to the side of the road. The driver exited and began walking toward her; he was wearing a full face mask, with only holes for eyes and brandishing a handgun. She was instructed to get on the ground. At approximately the same time a vehicle approached from the south and the victim was able to flag down the driver; the driver of the vehicle initiated an emergency 911 call to Inyo County Sheriff’s Dispatch. The suspect fled, driving northbound on U.S. 395.

Inyo County Sheriff’s Dispatch advised California Highway Patrol and Mono County Sheriff’s Office; the vehicle was spotted near Tom’s Place by Mono County Sheriff’s Office. A high speed pursuit commenced with speeds reaching beyond 120 miles per hour. The vehicle eventually exited at the Crowley Lake overpass at a speed estimated at 80-plus miles per hour. The vehicle hit the guardrail and crashed. The suspect fled on foot and began running toward the community of Crowley Lake, but was apprehended at gunpoint by Mono County Sheriff’s deputies.

The suspect was identified as Tommy Courtney, 21 years old, from Los Angeles. He is currently being held at the Inyo County Jail on the following charges: armed robbery, brandishing a fire arm, felon in possession of a firearm, vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, evading, and parole violation. Courtney is being held without bail due to the parole violation. –Inyo County Sheriff’s Department