Suicidal woman detained by South Lake Tahoe authorities after armed standoff

A 49-year-old Sacramento kept authorities at bay overnight in an armed standoff at a South Lake Tahoe motel. The following information comes from South Lake Tahoe Police regarding the standoff at the Pine Cone Acre Motel in South Lake Tahoe. No shots were fired.

On the evening of Wednesday, June 13, 2012 the Auburn Police Department notified northern California law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for a 49 year old suicidal woman, who had left their city after a family disturbance and may be somewhere in a neighboring jurisdiction. The Auburn Police Department described the woman as Jennifer Lynn Trezona, a resident of Sacramento. Officers also had a description of Trezona’s vehicle. Around 6:30pm Patrol Officer Ric Martinez and Sgt. Jeff Reagan located this vehicle parked at the Pine Cone Acre Motel. They discovered what room Trezona was in and went to check her welfare. When the officers attempted contact, Trezona brandished a handgun at them and then immediately barricaded herself inside the motel room. The officers took cover and called for assistance.

Back up officers, including Officers from CHP and Deputies from the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department arrived and secured the area. Tenants of the Pine Cone Acre motel, which may have been in jeopardy in the event of any shooting, were evacuated. A one block section of Highway 89, between 10th & 11th Streets, was blocked to traffic in both while emergency responders established a command post.

The SLTPD Crisis Negotiation Team responded and was supported by the SWAT team. South Lake Tahoe Fire Department medics staged nearby to provide help in the event of a shooting. Crisis Negotiators were able to quickly establish telephone contact with Trezona. Although she cut off the communication several times, negotiators worked persistently throughout the night to maintain constructive communication with her. Trezona often threatened to shoot police officers. While she kept the curtains to the room closed, officers were nevertheless able to catch occasional glimpses of her still holding a handgun. During the night SLTPD Detectives secured an arrest warrant for Trezona listing felony charges of brandishing a firearm at a peace officer and for threatening officers.

At 4am, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department responded with their SWAT and Crisis Negotiation Teams to relieve those of the South Lake Tahoe Police Department. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department also deployed one of their K9 units to relieve SLTPD. At 5:00am, Trezona finally walked out of her motel room without the firearm, and surrendered. South Lake Tahoe Police Officers booked Trezona on the warrant into the El Dorado County Jail in South Lake Tahoe. No shots were fired during this 10 hour standoff, and no one was injured.