Multiple arrests made in South Lake Tahoe due to looting while mandatory evacuations are in place
Submitted by Kelsey Penrose on Sat, 09/04/2021 - 9:12am
Multiple law enforcement agencies have been in South Lake Tahoe since the Caldor Fire started its eastward surge toward the lake. They assisted with evacuations after the orders were issued on Sunday and Monday, and since then have been on neighborhood patrol looking for those who chose to stay in town for nefarious reasons.
Law enforcement is working 24/7 to keep the community safe while residents are gone.
There have been several arrests this week of South Lake Tahoe residents caught looting during a mandatory evacuation order.
"Local criminals taking advantage," South Lake Tahoe Police Lt. Cabral of the situation. "They hid out and didn't evacuate."
On Friday, September 4, deputies from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office (SBCSO) worked with the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) as they contacted the driver of a vehicle without valid reasons to be in the community. In the car was a known felon who was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm. He was arrested and charged being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and failure to leave an evacuation zone.
"Thank you Santa Barbara Deputies and all the outside agencies who are assisting us," said Cabral.
Also on Friday, one of the teams on patrol was alerted to a male stealing a bicycle from a residence. The team quickly responded and located the subject, a 37-year-old South Lake Tahoe man who had the bike along as well as various other items suspected of being stolen. He was arrested for looting, possession of burglary tools, prowling, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a concealed dirk or dagger, and possession of stolen property.
Previously, SLTPD officers located a suspicious vehicle hooked up to a boat on a property in the Bonanza Avenue area that appeared out of place. Officers contacted a local resident who is a parolee and in possession of burglary tools and imitation firearms. He became aggressive with officers and was promptly arrested. He was charged with altering imitation firearms, possession of burglary tools, failure to leave an evacuation zone, and a violation of his parole.
'We will continue our efforts day and night to catch these people who are taking advantage of this situation and victimizing our community," said Cabral
SLTPD, the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO), and numerous law enforcement agencies throughout California are working non-stop through the smoke and fire to protect the community.
On Wednesday, September 2, SBCSO were on a security detail in the area of Spruce and Heather Lake Avenues when they saw a male subject near a house. When they tired to make contact, the male got into a vehicle and tried to leave. The deputies pulled the vehicle over and contacted the male. During their investigation, they discovered the suspect, a 28-year-old South Lake Tahoe mane had been looting in the area. He was arrested for looting, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to leave an evacuation zone, altering a replica firearm to resemble a real firearm, and false registration. They also recovered several items suspected to have been stolen.
Within minutes of that call, other SBCSO members found another male in the backyard of a residence on Herbert Avenue. That male was also arrested for looting, burglary, possession of burglary tools, and failure to leave an evacuation zone.
"We extend our gratitude to all the agencies helping in this difficult time," said Cabral of the mutual aide. "We couldn't do it without your help."
At the beginning of the fire, EDSO deputies were patrolling the Caldor Fire evacuated area of Randall Tract off Highway 50 near Kyburz where they spottd a suspicious vehicle in the area. After contacting the occupants of the vehicle, EDSO K9 Toby walked around the vehicle and gave a positive alert indicating he detected controlled substances within. A search of the vehicle turned up nearly three ounces of methamphetamine, a 9mm ghost gun with over 50, 9mm rounds, a scale with empty baggies, and burglary tools. An occupant of the vehicle was charged with multiple felonies including being a felon in possession of a firearm/ammunition and possession of controlled substances for sale.
All arrested must be transported to Placerville for booking as the South Lake Tahoe jail is closed due to the evacuation.
Widespread looting is not occurring in these evacuated areas, but there are actions of burglary. Out of the 17 calls Thursday, 15 turned out to be bears breaking in, and two were humans.
"With no people in town it gives them free reign," Cabral said of the bears. "With people around they stay out."
Windows and doors are secured once human and wildlife break-ins are found, and Cabral said they have notified homeowners of those affected by the criminal element.
Cabral said the public will find lots of trash to pick up once the repopulate into the community.
