City Council candidate arrested, says situation has been blown out of proportion

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Candidate for South Lake Tahoe City Council, Kevin Brunner, was arrested Saturday on charges of vandalism and arson.

According to a report by the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD), the 30-year-old Brunner saw his ex-girlfriend talking to another male in a local casino. The report states the woman later went back to her apartment where she found a broken window, and destroyed items inside, along with Brunner.

SLTPD Detective Sgt. Scott Crivelli said some personal items of the victim were maliciously burned.

Brunner says it's a misunderstanding and he had been staying at the home for two months. He claims her dog was barking at the front door, and when he opened it there was a bear right at the door. Brunner said he started throwing things at the bear and was afraid the dog would get out or in the way of the bear. He said as he was trying to save the dog he knocked things over, fell into the window, broke it, and cut his hand.

He said he had a concussion and was passed out for a few hours before the woman came home. He said he went to the hospital for a CT scan.

He was arrested and booked at 7:42 a.m. Saturday, and released on Tuesday.

Brunner's next court date is October 17.