Two arrested in South Lake Tahoe meadow for alleged crimes - felony arson, $10k in stolen bikes
Submitted by paula on Thu, 07/27/2023 - 3:47pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There was a joint effort Thursday in South Lake Tahoe to visit homeless camps in a private meadow off of the Upper Truckee River with the intention of offering services to those in need. What the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD), El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO), and El Dorado County Probation found led to the arrest of two people.
One man was arrested after he was found in possession of $10k in stolen bikes, and one woman was arrested for felony arson stemming from the July 3 fire in the same meadow.
Shirley Ann Barackman, age 31, was arrested as the suspect in the meadow fire. SLTPD has been investigating the fire which was purposely started in a tent with a person inside. At the time of the fire, SLTPD Lt. Nick Carlquist said the investigation may reveal other factors such as assault. Barackman is being charged with assault with a deadly weapon and felony arson.
David Warren Lehew, 54, was arrested on several charges after stolen bikes were found in the meadow. He is facing one felony count of receiving known stolen property, one count of trespassing, and one count of being a felon/addict in possession of a firearm.
Neither one of the suspects has had bail set and both are currently in the El Dorado County Jail in South Lake Tahoe.
Carlquist said they went to the meadow to just provide services, not knowing their suspect for the fire would be there, or that they'd find the stolen bikes.
The meadow was in very bad shape, said Carlquist. He said it was at the same spot as a previous major cleanup, but conditions are now worse.
Carlquist said there were numerous people in the meadow encampments when the two teams arrived. Besides the two suspects, they found drug paraphernalia, a lot of clothing, and other campsite possessions.
One person who the team contacted at the encampment accepted the services they offered.
He said cleanups of homeless encampments are more complicated than evictions. Notices have to be given to the homeless, and if the campsite is dispersed, law enforcement must provide storage for all food and items found.
This is an ongoing investigation and may be updated as new information is made available.