Rugged California area searched in manhunt for gunman

In this Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015 photo, a Los Angeles County Sheriff's helicopter flies near Weldon, Calif. Authorities searched an area east of Bakersfield, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 3, as part of a six-day manhunt involving the wounding of the deputies. (Casey Christie/The Bakersfield Californian via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT; MAGS OUT; NO SALES; ONLINE OUT; TV OUT In this Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015 photo, a Los Angeles County Sheriff's helicopter flies near Weldon, Calif. Authorities searched an area east of Bakersfield, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 3, as part of a six-day manhunt involving the wounding of the deputies. (Casey Christie/The Bakersfield Californian via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT; MAGS OUT; NO SALES; ONLINE OUT; TV OUT

By Associated Press August 4, 2015 3 min read

LOS ANGELES (AP) – A manhunt linked to a killing, kidnapping and the wounding of two deputies is focused in a rugged, five-square-mile California area.

Investigators haven’t confirmed the crimes were committed by the same man, said Kern County sheriff’s spokesman Ray Pruitt.

Dozens of deputies and helicopters combed the high desert area 30 miles from Bakersfield in 100-degree heat on Monday.

The area is challenging for searchers because it’s sparsely populated with mobile homes, trailers, unoccupied homes, cabins, ranches and outbuildings.

“We’re having to move very slowly and meticulously,” Pruitt said. “This is a suspect we consider to be armed and very dangerous. He has shown he is not hesitant to engage law enforcement officers in a shootout.”