South Lake Tahoe Police Department

Tahoe Warm Room open house for the community

Event Date: 
February 7, 2019 - 3:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless is hosting an open house at the South Lake Tahoe Warm Room on February 7, 2019 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The event will begin with tours of the Warm Room from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Warm Room is the overnight emergency shelter we operate each winter to give our homeless neighbors respite from the worst of the winter weather. This year the Warm Room is located at 1201 Emerald Bay Road in South Lake Tahoe, next door to Ernie’s Coffee Shop.

Suspect identified in South Lake Tahoe murder

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 71-year-old local man has been arrested for the murder of his 65-year-old female roommate.

James Byron Cleveland was arrested by the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) after they responded to a Carson Avenue residence on a call of an injured woman on Sunday, January 13, 2019.

Woman dies after South Lake Tahoe assault; Suspect arrested.

UPDATE 1/14/19: James Byron Cleveland, 71, has been arrested for the murder of his 65-year-old female roommate in South Lake Tahoe. For all of the updated info, visit http://southtahoenow.com/story/01/14/2019/suspect-identified-south-lake-tahoe-murder.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A woman has died of injuries sustained in an assault in a home on Carson Avenue in South Lake Tahoe.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

The following is a recap of activity for the South Lake Tahoe Police Department from January 3 - 10, 2019. They responded to 221 calls during this period. Last week's report for December 20, 2018 - January 2, 2019.

Calls Resulting in Arrests/Citations:

1/3 - 29 calls

Driving on a suspended/revoked license in the 3400 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd.
Warrant in the 3500 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd.
Felony "Other" in the 2600 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd.

One arrested in South Lake Tahoe honey oil explosion

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - One man has been arrested in connection with Friday's house fire on Kyburz Avenue in South Lake Tahoe.

Joe Johnson, 37, was arrested on a felony charge of manufacturing a controlled substance and a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of a police officer.

Fire at South Lake Tahoe home under investigation

UPDATE at 9:00 a.m. 1/12/19: One man has been arrested in connection with this fire. To see more: http://southtahoenow.com/story/01/12/2019/one-arrested-south-lake-tahoe-honey-oil-explosion

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UPDATE at 8:45 p.m. 1/11/19: The South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue is still on the scene of an earlier fire on Kyburz Avenue. The cause of the fire is under investigation by both the fire and police departments.

New Detective Sgt. Travis Cabral said he did not expect any further updates tonight.

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South Lake Tahoe man arrested after allegedly attempting to carjack firefighter's vehicle

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 27-year-old South Lake Tahoe man picked the wrong vehicle to try and carjack and is now behind bars for his actions, facing several charges including attempted kidnapping.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

The following is a recap of activity for the South Lake Tahoe Police Department from December 20, 2018 - January 2, 2019. They responded to 781 calls during this period.

Calls Resulting in Arrests/Citations:

12/20 - 36 calls
DUI at Lake Pkwy and Lower Loop Rd
Warrant in the 2500 block of Ponderosa

12/21 - 36 calls
DUI in the 1000 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd
Drunk in Public in the 2500 block of Conestoga
Battery on a Peace Officer at Fairway Ave and Glenwood Way

12/22 - 57 calls

SnowGlobe 2018 - Police arrests and medical calls down; ABC citations up

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - An estimated 20,000 visitors attended the 8th annual SnowGlobe Music Festival in South Lake Tahoe which was held over three days, December 29-31, 2018.

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) called this year's event the best they’ve had from a violation and enforcement standpoint. They said there were no significant problems or issues of any kind.

South Lake Tahoe man with gang ties arrested with loaded assault rifle

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - What started out as car crash involving a suspected drunk driver turned out much differently for the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) on New Year's Eve.

Officers responded to a report of a traffic collision in the 800 block of Los Angeles Avenue on December 31. Upon arrival they found that a Chevrolet Silverado had struck a parked car and a bear box. The driver, 33-year-old Victor Alfonso Ramos-Eucendo of South Lake Tahoe, appeared to be intoxicated.

City calls second night of SnowGlobe a "success"

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Law enforcement and medical issues associated with the 2018 SnowGlobe Music Festival were down again on the event's second night, leading City of South Lake Tahoe staff to call the evening "another success."

After much concern from the community, staff has been working to alleviate concerns from them concerning noise and trouble for law enforcement.

Highlights of the second day include:

Day 1 wrap up of South Lake Tahoe's SnowGlobe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The 8th annual SnowGlobe Music Festival in South Lake Tahoe is underway, and after Day 1 city officials reports it was a "smooth start."

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) said they had no significant problems or issues of any kind on Saturday and made just one arrest between 2:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

In comparison, there were 13 arrests on the first day of the festival in 2017.

Even outside the festival things were quiet.

Monsignor Murrough Wallace facing accusations of sexual abuse

Monsignor Murrough Wallace, who served the South Lake Tahoe community at the St. Theresa Parish from 1993 to 2003, has been accused by a man who said Wallace and another priest sexually abused him in 1985 when he was 17.

The accuser, known as John Doe in court documents, said he was volunteering at Camp Pendola when the alleged abuse took place.

Due to the allegations, Wallace, who is now 82 and retired, had to withdraw from ministry until more facts could be gathered, according to Bishop Soto of the Sacramento Diocese.

Douglas County Sheriff's Office plans strong presence in Stateline on New Year's Eve

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is preparing for the upcoming New Year’s Eve celebration at Lake Tahoe starting on Monday, December 31, 2018.

Due to the high volume of celebrants within the Stateline casino core area during this event, U.S. Highway 50 may be closed to vehicle traffic in the evening if necessary for public safety. If that should occur, vehicle traffic will be diverted around the Stateline casino core area using upper and lower Lake Parkway Drive. In past years, the road has closed anywhere from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

South Lake Tahoe prepares for SnowGlobe - Important road closure and noise information

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Thousands of music fans and dozens of performers are headed to South Lake Tahoe for the 8th annual SnowGlobe Music Festival from December 29-31. Before they get here, hundreds of workers are spending many hours preparing the scene from the delivery and installation of stages, tents, electrical cables, ski jumps, trailers, vehicles and port-a-potties.

Four new officers sworn in for South Lake Tahoe Police Department

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Two South Tahoe High graduates are among the four newly sworn in officers for the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD).

Jason Fritz and Grant Fagen were sworn in at City Hall on Friday, Jason Nixon was sworn in on Thursday as he graduated from the Sacramento Police Academy and John Miller started work in October.

Scammers attempt to get money from South Lake Tahoe business owner

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A scammer attempted to get money out of a South Lake Tahoe business owner on Thursday, December 20 by pretending to be from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD).

The call came into the business from what looked like the police department's main phone line. The person on the other end told the owner he owed money on old credit cards and would be arrested if he didn’t pay up. The caller gave him a number to call, 512-333-2304, and when he called they asked for $1985.

He hung up and called police.

DEA arrests two South Lake Tahoe residents on drug charges

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Federal agents were in South Lake Tahoe on Tuesday to arrest two local men after a three-year-long investigation into their illegal drug activities.

On December 18, 2018, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) with assistance from the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Task Force (TRIDENT), South Lake Tahoe Police Department and El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office served a federal search warrant at a home on the 2300 block of Tahoe Vista Drive.

South Lake Tahoe man jailed after three alleged burglaries of hotel supplies

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A South Lake Tahoe man is behind bars after being charged with three different burglaries of the Deerfield Lodge and possession of methamphetamines.

31-year-old Johnathan Adam Towne was arrested on December 16 after allegedly stealing $100 worth of towels and coffee pods on November 28 and $300 in sheets, towels, robes and toilet paper on December 8. On December 15 he was caught inside a room by hotel guests where he allegedly was stealing more coffee pods and hotel candy.

South Lake Tahoe bomb scare result of national hoax

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Businesses and institutions across the country received emailed bomb threats Thursday, each demanding payment of bitcoin or risk the use of an explosive device at their location. Many of these emailed threats prompted evacuations and response by multiple bomb squads including South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County.

South Lake Tahoe pair off to prison after abusing their two young children

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Danielle McGlothin and Lance Logan are heading to state prison after being sentenced for abusing their two young children, ages one and three.

On October 19, 2017, staff at the 3 Peaks Resort in South Lake Tahoe discovered two small children without clothes on, roaming the parking lot unattended. Staff attempted to return the boys to their parents after the kids were almost hit by a car. The parents, McGlothin and Logan, appeared to the staff to be under the influence of drugs and police were called.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

The following is a recap of activity for the South Lake Tahoe Police Department from October 18-November 17. They responded to 868 calls during this period.

Calls Resulting in Arrests/Citations:

10/18 - 41 calls for the day
No Arrests

10/19 - 29 calls for the day
DUI in the 2500 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd
Unlicensed driver in the 3000 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd

10/20 - 31 calls for the day
DUI in the 1000 block of Lodi Ave
Unlicensed Driver in the 1200 block of Kyburz
Driving on a Suspended/Revoked License at Blackwood and Pioneer

Barbara Grant ~ 1932 - 2018

It is with a mixture of sadness and rejoicing that we announce the passing of Barbara Grant from this world to her home in heaven. She enjoyed being with friends and family and always conducted herself with humility, love, and dedication to God.

Ex-Humane Society director finishes jail term just one month after guilty plea

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Even though she was sentenced to six months in jail after taking a plea deal for her embezzlement of almost $60,000, Niki Congero, the former executive director of the Lake Tahoe Humane Society, has been released and is now back in Tennessee a free woman.

She was in the El Dorado County Jail from August 1 to October 28, a total of 89 days. Her jail term started the day of her arrest in Tennessee.

South Lake Tahoe man arrested after allegedly selling marijuana to middle school students

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A South Lake Tahoe man was arrested on November 14, 2018 after concerned parents alerted the police department about pot being sold to children at South Tahoe Middle School.

Gary Frega, 56, has been charged with selling marijuana to students as young as 13-years-old and is currently in the El Dorado County Jail on a $50,000 bail hold.

SLTPD and DCSO go undercover to investigate Lake Tahoe and Carson Valley drug trafficking

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) and Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) Street Enforcement Team have conducted a joint investigation over the last nine months into the trafficking and sales of heroin and methamphetamine in the area.

Names released in officer involved shooting in South Lake Tahoe

The names of the two South Lake Tahoe police detectives involved in last Monday's officer involved shooting have been released.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

The following is a recap of activity for the South Lake Tahoe Police Department from October 1 to 17. They responded to 476 calls during this period.

Calls Resulting in Arrests/Citations:

10/1 - 42 calls

Drunk in Public in the 1800 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd.

10/2 - 28 calls

No Arrests

10/3 - 22 calls

DUI at Lake Tahoe Blvd and Los Angeles Ave
Violation of Domestic Violence Court Order in the 2500 block of William Ave

10/4 - 29 calls

Warrant at Transit Way and Lake Tahoe Blvd

10/5 - 28 calls

Drunk in Public in the 1000 block of Johnson Blvd

Armed robbery suspect identified as man killed after shooting at police

11/1/18 update: More details have come to light surrounding the officer involved shooting of an armed robbery suspect in Meyers on Monday.

There were three warrants for the arrest of Billy Jo Johnson on Monday, one from each South Lake Tahoe, Douglas County and Carson City. Law enforcement from each agency were working together on their cases in an attempt to locate and arrest the 34-year-old Johnson.

Officer involved shooting leaves one man dead and two roads closed

10/30 Update: The shooting suspect from the officer involved shooting on October 29, 2018 has been positively identified as 34-year-old Billy Jo Johnson of Gardnerville, Nev.

Next of kin notifications have been completed.

This is still an active investigation and no further information is available at this time.

* * *
7:15 p.m. update - The suspect who died after the pursuit had a felony warrant for arrest for a PC 211, Robbery with a Firearm.

Drug Take Back Day in South Lake Tahoe Saturday

Event Date: 
October 27, 2018 - 10:00am

Removing unused, unwanted and expired medications from homes is a huge step in preventing pill abuse and theft, and the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) will be holding a Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Safeway parking lot.

This is the local's 16th opportunity in the past eight years to get rid of their potentially dangerous medication on the South Shore.

South Lake Tahoe man arrested after allegedly murdering girlfriend

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Paul Hollingsworth, a 60-year-old South Lake Tahoe resident, has been arrested after confessing to a family member that he killed his live-in girlfriend.

South Lake Tahoe man headed to prison after drug arrest leads to discovery of chlld porn

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 28-year-old local man will be spending the next 16 months in state prison after being convicted of Felony Possession of Child Pornography.

South Lake Tahoe man dies after being struck by vehicle

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 65-year-old man died Friday night after being struck by a vehicle near Denny's on Lake Tahoe Boulevard. Just before 7:30 p.m. on September 28, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) received several calls about a pedestrian versus vehicle collision near the intersection of Lake Tahoe and Al Tahoe Boulevards.

Upon arrival they found an unresponsive man lying in the roadway in front of Denny's. South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue personnel arrived and pronounced the local man deceased at the scene.

Humane Society ex-director pleads guilty to embezzlement charges

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Nicola (Niki) Congero, 50, the former executive director of the Lake Tahoe Humane Society (LTHS), pleaded guilty Monday to felony embezzlement for using almost $60,000 of Humane Society money for her own personal purposes.

Former Lake Tahoe Humane Society director offered plea agreement

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The former executive director of the Lake Tahoe Humane Society will be back in court on Monday, September 24 to face felony charges of embezzlement.

Nicola "Niki" Congero has been offered a plea agreement by the El Dorado County District Attorney's Office and has until the 8:30 a.m. hearing Monday to give them her answer. She is being represented by El Dorado County Public Defender James Warden who has been with Congero during her court hearings on August 28 and September 10.

Body of man missing in Lake Tahoe recovered

The body of the 33-year-old man who went missing in Lake Tahoe on September 8, 2018 was located by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office underwater remote operated vehicle (ROV) and then recovered on Monday, September 17.

South Lake Tahoe cannabis sales could be delayed with possible referendum

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - September 21, 2018 is the date the City of South Lake Tahoe will start accepting development agreements for the six cannabis licenses up for grabs after City Council approved a cannabis ordinance on August 21, 2018.

That is, unless a group spearheaded by Cody Bass of Tahoe Wellness Cooperative and his attorney James Anthony gets enough signatures to stop the process.

Cameron Park man identified as Sunday's missing swimmer in Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A Cameron Park, California man has been identified as the swimmer who went missing in Lake Tahoe on Sunday, September 9, 2018.

Multiple agencies responded to the 5:36 p.m. call for help and a possible drowning on the lake near Nevada Beach including the Coast Guard, Tahoe Douglas Fire Department, South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) and South Lake Tahoe Fire Department, El Dorado County Sheriff (EDSO) and Douglas County Sheriff's Offices (DCSO).

Search called off for person reported missing in Lake Tahoe

11:00 a.m. update 9/11/18 - Douglas County Sheriff's Office is reporting that two men went into the water and that one, a man in his 30s, has not been found at this time. The other man was transported to the hospital.

On Monday, underwater drones and K9s were used in the water along with law enforcement boats to aid in the search.

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LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - Multiple agencies spent Sunday night and most of Monday searching for a person who reportedly jumped off a boat near Nevada Beach.

Mass casualty / active shooter drill held in South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) held a mass casualty/active shooter drive Thursday at their training center on Rufus Allen Blvd.

Since first responders don't want to use a real event to test their skills, drills of these types are crucial to their being prepared.

Tahoe Douglas Fire, Lake Valley Fire, California Highway Patrol, Care Flight/Remsa, Cal-Star, Cal-Tahoe JPA, South Tahoe Action Team, the FBI and South Lake Tahoe Police Department all joined SLTFR and 22 volunteers in the drills.

Cram-a-Cruiser event to gather food for Bread & Broth 4 Kids program

Event Date: 
October 6, 2018 - 10:00am

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The semi-annual Cram-A-Cruiser Day will be held at the Grocery Outlet at 2358 Lake Tahoe Blvd. in South Lake Tahoe on Saturday, October 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Cram-A-Cruiser day encourages the community to fill up a South Lake Tahoe police cruiser with food to be given to children at local schools who need nutrition over the weekend when the LTUSD free lunch program doesn't cover meals.

Man died in Lake Tahoe after heading to beach to fly model airplane

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe man who died in Lake Tahoe Monday has been identified as 74-year-old Robert Hill.

Mr. Hill left his home in the Tahoe Keys on Monday, August 27, 2018 at about 8:30 a.m. to go fly his model airplane on the Lighthouse Shore beach. According to the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD), it appears the model plane crashed into Lake Tahoe and he went in to retrieve it.

Ex-Humane Society director accused of embezzlement back in El Dorado County

Nicola "Niki" Congero, the former Lake Tahoe Humane Society (LTHS) executive director accused of embezzlement, is now sitting in the El Dorado County Jail in Placerville.

On Sunday, August 19, 2018, the El Dorado County Sheriff's extradition team returned from Knoxville, Tennessee with Congero. She is accused of using the LTHS debit card on personal things such gambling, rental furniture for her home, dentist bills, family cell phones, repairs to family members vehicles, and numerous point of sale purchases with cash back at casinos, just to name a few.

Removing abandoned cars in South Lake Tahoe

We've all seen them. Trailers and vehicles of all types parked on the side of the road for days, and even weeks or months with no apparent owner. Have you ever wondered what the process is?

In July, a white Mustang was abandoned on the side of Gardner Street behind Les Schwab Tires. It was stripped of everything of value, including tires and parts of the motor. Some remains of this once nice car, along with computer parts were strewn about, left for someone to take care of.

Who is that someone?

Police ask for public's help in locating missing person in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 35-year-old man who was headed to South Lake Tahoe (SLT) to live and study has not been heard from, and his parents and the SLT Police Department are asking for the public's help in locating him.

Alexander Farquhar Mackenzie left his parent's house in Salinas, California in May of this year in a rental car, telling his parents he was headed for South Lake Tahoe.

California man drowns in Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The body of a 21-year-old California man was located in Lake Tahoe Sunday afternoon, more than 24 hours after he jumped off a boat near Edgewood Tahoe.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Office cadaver dogs alerted others to the body of the man about one-quarter mile off shore between Tahoe Meadows and Lakeside Marina just before 5:00 p.m. Sunday, according to South Lake Tahoe Police Officer Traci Trapani.

The identity of the man is being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin.

Abandoned homeless camps cleaned up in South Lake Tahoe

For the past several months, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) has been contacting homeless individuals using the meadow behind Motel 6 as an illegal campground, advising them that the area would soon be off limits.

Former Lake Tahoe Humane Society director arrested on embezzlement charges

Detectives from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department flew to Tennessee overnight to arrest Nicola "Niki" Congero, the former executive director of Lake Tahoe Humane Society.

Congero, 50, was arrested without incident on the morning of Wednesday, August 1 and booked into the Knoxville jail on charges of embezzling approximately $60,000 from the South Lake Tahoe based non-profit. She is being held there on $200,000 bail and is currently awaiting extradition.

National Night Out at Regan Beach in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
August 7, 2018 - 4:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Join local public safety agencies on Tuesday, August 7 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for National Night Out at Regan Beach. South Lake Tahoe Police Department, El Dorado County Sheriff's Office, California Highway Patrol, South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue, El Dorado County, Barton Heath, California Conservation Corps and the South Lake Tahoe Action Teams are all involved again this year.

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