Man arrested for pointing rifle at motorist on rural highway

By Jackie Valley

Wednesday, April 20, 2011 | 10:30 a.m.

The Nye County Sheriff's Office arrested a 39-year-old man Tuesday after he allegedly pointed a rifle at a passing motorist on U.S. 95 and then led authorities on a pursuit.

Officials said the incident began at 12:15 p.m. north of Beatty when a driver reported another motorist pointed a rifle at him near mile marker 30 on U.S. 95.

Nevada Highway Patrol troopers and Nye County deputies found and pursued the suspect's vehicle, a yellow Hummer, while traveling south on the highway.

Authorities disabled the suspect's vehicle with spike strips near mile marker 8, but the man continued driving for another mile until the tires deflated, officials said.

Cory Putnam and a female passenger, identified as 36-year-old Kelly Ruthman Jamerson, were taken into custody without incident, officials said.

Authorities found a loaded rifle ready to shoot in the front seat of the vehicle, officials said. The vehicle also had a bullet hole in the windshield.

Jamerson told authorities that she was able to pull the rifle away from Putnam as they were exiting the Hummer, authorities said. Deputies determined she was a victim and released her.

Putnam was charged with kidnapping, discharging a weapon out of a vehicle, aiming or discharging a firearm at a human, drawing a firearm in a threatening manner, eluding, speeding and reckless driving, officials said. He is being held on $209,323 bail.