[pct-l] Still not a good time to be hiking the PCT in the Kelso Valley area (Hwy 58 to Hwy 178)

[Brick Robbins]

And not just because of the heat


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http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-gunman-manhunt-20150812-story.html

Gunman wanted in Kern County manhunt is 'one step ahead' of deputies

A gunman wanted for killing a retired dentist and wounding two Kern
County sheriff’s deputies is believed to be alive and hiding in the
wilderness near Lake Isabella.

After more than a week of searching, authorities Tuesday identified
the gunman as Benjamin Peter Ashley, 34, a homeless man with an
extensive criminal background, including incidents in which he
resisted arrest.

Authorities used evidence gathered at several crime scenes to identify Ashley.

Benjamin Peter Ashley is wanted on suspicion of killing a retired
dentist and wounding two Kern County sheriff’s deputies more than a
week ago.

Ashley has likely been living in the area, squatting in vacant cabins
and homes for some time, sheriff’s spokesman Ray Pruitt said.
Authorities believe Ashley is a survivalist and is finding enough food
and water to sustain himself. He is believed to be armed.

“He has been able to stay one step ahead of us,” Pruitt said. “He is a
dangerous person.”

A manhunt that had been mostly focused in a five-square-mile area
centered at Kelso Valley and Jawbone Canyon roads has shifted north
into Weldon, a community west of Lake Isabella.

More than 125 deputies are searching for Ashley, who could be hiding
in any of the numerous cabins and homes dotted throughout the rugged,
isolated wilderness. There have been no confirmed sightings, Pruitt
said.

Aided by U.S. marshals, sheriff’s officials are digging into Ashley’s
background. So far, what they know is he has not served in the
military and does not have special training.

In 2011, Ashley was arrested in Oceanside for two warrants stemming
from an open container and illegal camping, according to Oceanside
police Lt. Leonard Cosby. Ashley’s criminal record indicates he was
homeless and likely familiar with the outdoors, Cosby said.

Oceanside police became aware of the manhunt Wednesday and thought he
might be connected to a missing Oceanside man last seen in Rosamond,
more than 80 miles south of Weldon.

But so far, there is no indication of foul play involving the missing
man, police said.

Ashley was charged in 2012 and 2013 for resisting arrest in Orange
County and in Glendale, respectively. He was also arrested in San
Diego and San Marcos.

In 2014, Ashley was arrested in Bear Valley Springs on a fugitive
warrant connected to the Glendale incident. Ashley never appeared in
court for the case in Glendale.

Bear Valley police received a report of a suspicious person inside the
gated community and searched the area, police Chief Jeff Kermode said.
Officers found Ashley about two miles away. He was dirty, disheveled
and “looked out of place,” he said.

He was arrested and booked into a Kern County jail.

“I certainly hope they find him soon,” Kermode said.

Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood said Ashley’s criminal past was
not surprising.

“We’re confident this is our guy,” Youngblood said. “He’s a survivor.”

Since the search began, nearby schools and roads have been closed and
forest land and trails in the Piute Mountains shut off. The Pacific
Crest Trail from California 58 to Bird Springs Pass was closed until
further notice.

Target of Kern County manhunt has 'plenty of firearms,' sheriff says

The community within the search area, sheriff’s officials said, has
disrupted residents' way of living. Residents are used to leaving
their doors unlocked and their keys inside their cars, Pruitt said.

Deputies urged residents this week to lock their doors and remain
vigilant. Ashley has been known to break into cabins and homes in the
area.

“Our priority is the safety of the public,” Pruitt said.

The rampage began July 28, when Ashley allegedly held a 19-year-old
man and two 20-year-old men captive for an hour in a cabin near Twin
Oaks, where he was probably squatting, sheriff’s officials said.

The men were able to escape, but the gunman stole their off-road
vehicle and fled, authorities said. He later abandoned the vehicle.

Investigators said they believe Ashley probably hiked over the Piute
Mountains, possibly using the Pacific Crest Trail, to get to Weldon,
10 miles away.

Two days later, Ashley allegedly shot retired dentist David Louis
Markiewitz, 64, of Tehachapi, killing him. Family members found
Markiewitz’s body inside his cabin in Weldon.

On Aug. 1, SWAT deputies were searching for Ashley on the secluded
property near Kelso Valley and Jawbone Canyon, when authorities said
he shot Deputy Michael Booker and Deputy Jose Perez. Booker was shot
in both arms, and Perez was grazed by a bullet.

Photo of the suspect:
http://www.trbimg.com/img-55cba88e/turbine/la-me-ln-manhunt-gunman-20150811-001/458/258x458