One arrested after high-speed pursuit from South Lake Tahoe to Placerville

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A high-speed pursuit from South Lake Tahoe to Placerville, at times reaching 100 mph, has landed one man in jail.

A detective from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) happened to be in the parking lot of The Crossing Thursday afternoon when he observed what looked to be a theft in progress at the Big 5 Sporting Goods store.

Detective Travis Cabral was in his unmarked police car when he saw a man run from Big 5 and jump into a waiting Toyota Corolla. The car was moving erratically in the parking lot when the passenger and the driver changed positions. Cabral said the car looked like it was going to hit him and he followed as they drove out of the parking lot. Cabral followed without lights, got the license plate number and was calling for a patrol car when the car sped off at a high rate of speed. Cabral then attempted to pull the vehicle over.

The car led police through the Tahoe Keys and State Streets area and onto Lake Tahoe Boulevard towards Meyers. SLTPD pulled back due to safety concerns and called in the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

CHP then followed the Toyota on Highway 50 over Echo Summit all the way to Missouri Flat Road in Placerville, sometimes with the car reaching speeds of 100 mph. The CHP helicopter also joined in the pursuit.

The Toyota pulled into a "no outlet" street off the highway near Missouri Flat. As is procedure, SLTPD detectives Matt Morrison and Jake Herminghaus drove to join Cabral in Placerville to help wrap up the case but were not in the pursuit. They were near the "no outlet" street where the Toyota was located. The driver of that vehicle rammed the SLTPD car in an attempt to getaway.

The driver of that Toyota, 28-year-old Stephen Maciel, was arrested by SLTPD and booked into the El Dorado County Jail in Placerville. He is facing charges of Assault with a Deadly Weapon (not a firearm), Evading Police without Regard for Public Safety, both felonies, and Misdemeanor Shoplifting. His bail was initally set at $101,500 but more charges have since been added: Narcotics/Controlled Substance for Sale (bail $60,000) and an enhancement bail of $100,000 normally added for previous violations/warrants/probation. The misdemeanor bail was also raised by another $500. Total bail as of Thursday night is $262,000.

His unidentified female companion was not arrested by SLTPD but she may face charges related to Maciel's additional ones. Maciel's hometown is unknown at this time but Cabral said he is not from South Lake Tahoe.

Prior to the pursuit, Maciel was facing just the shoplifting charge that carries a bail of $1,500.

This case shows the need for police on the streets, looking for suspicious circumstances with a trained eye, said Cabral.

This story will be updated as more information is made available.