BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — KCSO says deputies responded to the Rite Aid on South H Street and Ming Avenue for theft in progress on Tuesday. Once they arrived, a suspect ran from the scene before a shooting took place.
- An armed suspect, Jeremy Pletcher, was pursued and later hid in a backyard, prompting a police lockdown.
- Pletcher was arrested after a standoff, facing multiple felony charges including attempted murder of a peace officer.
- KCSO and BPD coordinated a large response with air support to secure the area during the incident.
- The investigation is ongoing, and details about the officer-involved shooting are yet to be released.
An armed suspect ran from the police early Tuesday morning, resulting in KCSO and BPD to respond to the incident.
This morning at about 9AM deputies were dispatched to the Rite-Aid on S H and Ming for a theft in progress. When deputies arrived they located someone who matched the description of the theft subject and a foot pursuit followed at that time.
The incident happened near Valley Plaza. Investigators say the suspect hid in the backyard of a home in the 1700 block of Benton and Faye Lane. Numerous squad cars flooded the area along with air patrol.
The initial information provided to Bakersfield police was that a deputy was possibly involved in a shooting and was chasing a suspect east bound through the residential area. Luckily with the amount of officers we had working, we were able to get a number of officers in the immediate area within minutes to assist with securing a perimeter so the Kern County Sheriff's Office can continue their investigation.
While the suspect hid in a backyard, neighbors were forced to stay in their homes and were unable to access their property while the search was on.
We locked down everything since I was home with my mom there she seemed to be good. I did contact my dad and let him know this is going on so don't come back home right now but everything is safe. We took the protective measures, thank god everything is secured and well thank to the law enforcement here in Bakersfield.
According to KCSO the suspect was identified as 34-year-old Jeremy Pletcher who eventually surrendered and was arrested near the intersection of Benton St and Mark Court. He was arrested on suspicion of numerous felonies, including exhibiting a firearm at a peace officer, attempt murder of a peace officer, theft with 2 or more priors, and others. KCSO would not say how many deputies fired at the suspect, saying that is under investigation. They plan to release this data at a later date.
This is still an active investigation and KCSO and BPD ask you to reach out to them if you have any information.
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