Man who led officer and K9 on chase through snow sentenced to 4 years in prison

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. Dylan Matthew Pettigrew was recently sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of First Degree Burglary.

On March 18, 2018, officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) responded to a burglar alarm at a home on Elva Court near Pioneer Trail. Upon arrival, officers found Pettigrew, who was 42 at the time, in the home. The suspect ran and Officer Matt Morrison and his K9 Quatro took off after him through waist-deep snow. Officer John Spaeth was waiting for them at the end of the field and took Pettigrew into custody.

Pettigrew was arrested on several charges at the time: Burglary First Degree, Possession of Heroin and Methamphetamine, Resisting, Violation of Probation and an outstanding warrant. When arrested he admitted to breaking into the home through a window before the police arrived.

Many may remember the day of Pettigrew's arrest as the SLTPD MRrap responded to the Pioneer Trail and Temple Bat Yam area after the officers involved in Pettigrew's arrest heard what they thought was gunfire. SLTPD was joined by California Highway Patrol (CHP), El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) and South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) as well as a CHP helicopter. The sound was later determined to be illegal fireworks at a Pioneer Trail home.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Casey Mandrell.