Known South Lake Tahoe arsonist arrested on robbery and arson charges

A South Lake Tahoe man is behind bars facing several charges including arson and robbery.

His first alleged offense was on July 16 at 12:36 p.m. when 43-year-old Eric Almdale allegedly threatened to kill a family member over money. He fled the home in the 1000 block of Echo Avenue with the money.

Several hours later, at 1:28 a.m. on July 17, officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) responded to an audible alarm in the 2200 block of Helen Avenue. They found a window had been removed and evidence that a person had gained entry to the home through there. Once inside, officers found more evidence that someone had started a fire inside using debris and an accelerant. The fire had burned portions of the walls and floor but appeared to have extinguished itself.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFD) responded to ensure that there was no further threat of fire.

At 3:15 a.m. the same morning, Almdale allegedly walked into Barton Hospital and began cutting up furniture in the waiting room with a knife. SLTPD responded and took Almdale into custody.

During their investigation, officers learned that in addition to the earlier robbery, Almdale had been the person that attempted to light the Helen Avenue residence on fire. Almdale told officers of three other fires he had started that night in wooded areas near the “Y” area of town. Officers responded and were able to locate areas that had been freshly burned.

Those fires appeared to have self-extinguished as well.

Almdale is no stranger to arson as he is officially an arson registrant with SLTPD. In 2012, he lit a trailer on fire in the 800 block of James Ave. There were two people in the trailer at the time that had to be rescued by SLTFD.

On Tuesday, July 17, Almdale was booked into the El Dorado County Jail for 451(b) PC- Arson of an Inhabited Dwelling as well as 211 PC, Robbery for his recent actions. His bail has been set at $215,000.

There were two recent suspicious fires in Meyers. At this time it is unknown if Almdale had any part in those.