Suspect arrested after attempting to flee South Lake Tahoe Police in stolen vehicle

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – A suspect from Sparks, Nevada has been arrested after leading officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) on a chase through the Al Tahoe neighborhood and into the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center area.

During the evening of July 17, 2024, SLTPD patrol officers received information about a truck that had been stolen in Sparks. At approximately 8:10 p.m. the stolen truck was spotted heading eastbound on Lake Tahoe Blvd., near Al Tahoe Blvd. Officers attempted an enforcement stop but the driver failed to yield and sped away.

The driver, later identified as 48-year-old Paul Mock, drove the stolen truck into the Al Tahoe Neighborhood while being pursued by SLTPD officers. Mock then returned to Lake Tahoe Blvd. from Modesto Avenue where Mock jumped the curb on the south side of the road and attempted to go over some large rocks, which tore off the front driver-side wheel. He drove into the Lake Tahoe History Museum/Senior Center parking lot to the dirt area near the recreation center. The driver continued to attempt to flee towards the campground but the truck became disabled before reaching it, about 100 yards into the forested area.

The driver of the vehicle then fled on foot through the fenced area at the JPA ambulance building under construction.

Officers followed and captured the suspect in a parking lot at Modesto Ave. and Riverside Ave.

Mock was arrested on the following charges:

Possession of a stolen vehicle
Evade peace officer with wanton disregard for safety
Evade peace officer: wrong-way driver
Obstruct/resist a peace officer

Mock is currently being held in the El Dorado County Jail with a bail of $203,000. The stolen vehicle was towed and stored pending its return to the rightful owner.