Kern County Sheriff’s SWAT deputies and officers from 15 local, state and federal agencies are maintaining focus on a rugged five-mile tract near Weldon, where they believe a killer is hiding.

Sheriff’s spokesman Ray Pruitt says the party has positively linked the fugitive to a kidnapping, the murder of a dentist and a shootout with SWAT deputies.

“We have recovered items during this investigation which we believe ties the suspect to all three of the crimes that we’re investigating,” he said.

However, Pruitt refused to say what those items were.

The man is considered armed and dangerous.

Additionally, the U.S. Forest Service has shut down all trails leading into the Piute Mountain area until the suspect is captured.

The agency has also closed the Pacific Crest Trail from Highway 58 to Bird Springs Pass until further notice. Violators could face a $5,000 fine or jail time.

– Anthony Pollreisz