Snowbank snags suspected Mono burglar

A snowbank aided Mono County deputies in capturing a burglary suspect in in Bridgeport.

Keith Gearhart, 29, of Ridgecrest, Calif., was taken into custody after deputies responding to a burglary at the Virginia Creek Settlement motel, restaurant and campground on Tuesday morning.

While responding to the burglary, the sheriff's department received several calls that a man driving a Kia hatchback was stuck in a snowbank on Highway 167 just north of Mono Lake.

According to Undersheriff Ralph Obenberger, deputies learned that the vehicle was reported stolen and took Gearhart into custody at gunpoint.

Deputies found a cash register and other items believed to have been taken in the burglary.

Gearhart is in custody on suspicion of burglary, receiving stolen property, vehicle theft, being under the influence of narcotics and driving under the influence of narcotics.