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.

On January 8, 2019 at approximately 5:00 p.m. an off-duty firefighter from South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue was driving on Emerald Bay Road when a man stepped in front of his vehicle. The firefighter slammed on his brakes to avoid hitting the man who was later identified as Jacob Lewis. Lewis then tried to get inside the car via the passenger side door. The firefighter's child was seated in the front seat and Lewis started hitting his vehicle with his fists.

Lewis then walked around to the driver’s side of the vehicle where he and the firefighter got into a fight according to the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD). Lewis then jumped into the driver’s seat with the firefighter's son still in the vehicle and tried to drive off but was pulled out of the vehicle by the firefighter.

The firefighter was able to take a photo of the suspect to share it with law enforcement when they got to the scene. An El Dorado County Sheriff shared the suspect's photo on social media and a local business owner called the SLTPD Dispatch Center to tell them he thought the picture was of an ex-employee, Jacob Lewis.

SLTPD had also identified Lewis as the suspect as they have a long history with him dating back 11 years. Previous cases include battery with serious injury and drug use.

SLTPD officers found Lewis at his home and he denied any involvement in this case. Lewis was arrested without incident and he was booked into the El Dorado County Jail on charges of attempted carjacking, attempted kidnapping and battery. He is currently being held on $405,000 bail.