crimes
South Lake Tahoe community engaging during monthly conversations
Submitted by paula on Thu, 02/22/2018 - 10:48pm
South Lake Tahoe Mayor Wendy David held her second "Community Conversation" on Wednesday, opening the avenues of conversation between government and the public. This time Councilmember Brooke Laine joined her.
During the first such meeting in January the crowd got too big for the chosen area, Peet's Coffee, so this month they moved to the SLT Senior Center. Everyone attending agreed the center was much more conducive to good conversation.
"I thought it went really well," said Wendy. "I really appreciate the respect everyone shows for each other and opinions can be shared freely."
Las Vegas Grand Jury indicts 36 for international cyber crimes
Submitted by paula on Sun, 02/18/2018 - 12:19am
A federal indictment was unsealed last week, charging 36 individuals for their alleged roles in the Infraud Organization, an Internet-based cybercriminal enterprise engaged in the large-scale acquisition, sale, and dissemination of stolen identities, compromised debit and credit cards, personally identifiable information, financial and banking information, computer malware, and other contraband.
El Dorado County man sentenced after domestic violence conviction
Submitted by paula on Thu, 01/25/2018 - 7:58pm
A Cameron Park man will be spending the rest of his life in prison after he was sentenced this week after being found guilty of crimes including
criminal threats, domestic violence, multiple counts of assault with a firearm on a peace officer and special allegation(s) related to the use of a firearm and inflicting great bodily Injury on a peace officer in the line of duty.
Michael Allen Hoffer, 47, was sentenced twice, once for 45 years and 4 months and the other for consecutive 25 years to life.
El Dorado County and Lyft team up to keep people safe this holiday season
Submitted by paula on Thu, 12/14/2017 - 3:44pm
The El Dorado County District Attorney's Office has teamed up with Lyft, just as other Sacramento and Sierra area community, to keep people on the road safer during the holiday season. Drivers are encouraged to use safe rides to reduce impaired driving and help keep El Dorado County and the surrounding areas safe.
Nevada doctor arrested on distribution of opioids and health care fraud charges
Submitted by paula on Tue, 12/12/2017 - 10:39am
Dr. Devendra I. Patel, aka Devendrakumar I. Patel, 58, of Elko, Nev., was arrested Tuesday on 39 charges of unlawful distribution of prescriptions opioids and Medicaid fraud.
Patel is charged with 36-counts of distribution of controlled substances such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, and three-counts of health care fraud. He is a cardiologist at his medical practice, Northeastern Nevada Cardiology. The statutory maximum penalty for distribution of a controlled substance is 10 years in prison and the maximum penalty for health care fraud is 10 years in prison.
Sass Talk: It's ok to not go along, to just get along
Submitted by paula on Sat, 12/02/2017 - 6:32pm
This opinion piece has been updated.
Ty Robben to spend the next seven years in prison
Submitted by paula on Sat, 10/28/2017 - 10:23am
The man who led anti-South Lake Tahoe Police, El Dorado County Sheriff, District Attorney and Judge campaigns will be spending the next seven years in prison after he was given the maximum sentence October 27, 2017 in Sacramento Superior Court.
County's DA office strengthens Family Protection Unit
Submitted by paula on Fri, 10/20/2017 - 6:52am
Since the recent passage of many soft on crime laws like Propositions 47 and 57,
California has seen a troubling trend of an increase in violent crimes. This disturbing surge in violent crimes has seen a dramatic increase in domestic violence homicides across the Sacramento Region.
El Dorado County fugitive found on East African island
Submitted by paula on Thu, 10/12/2017 - 1:06pm
For nearly five years the El Dorado County District Attorney's office has been searching for Javed Noori, a man who had been placed on the federal government's Northern California Most Wanted List.
That search is now over after Noori was returned to the county on October 9, 2017 where he faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon including two special allegations for inflicting great bodily injury and for a prior strike for very similar conduct.
Douglas County Sheriff's K-9 fundraiser
Submitted by paula on Wed, 10/04/2017 - 12:55pm
Event Date:
October 6, 2017 - 3:00pm
The final radio show of the year for the Douglas County Sheriff's Office will coincide with a K-9 fundraiser on Friday, October 6 with Jon Sanchez on KOH780AM.
Five of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office K-9s will be on hand during the live show and event from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sanchez Ranch Meats located at 1734 Hwy 395 in Minden, Nev.
The DCSO K-9 unit is made up of Shadow, Drago, Bak, Bane and Beny.
Ty Robben found guilty of 8 felonies; Sentencing in October
Submitted by paula on Tue, 09/26/2017 - 2:45pm
The man who has led anti-South Lake Tahoe Police, El Dorado County Sheriff, District Attorney and Judge campaigns was found guilty on Monday in Sacramento Superior Court on eight felony charges.
Reno man indicted for allegedly using 8,000 PayPal accounts in $3.5M scheme
Submitted by paula on Fri, 09/15/2017 - 5:17pm
A Reno man has been indicted on several charges after allegedly engaging in a $3.5 million fraud scheme using over 8,000 fraudulent PayPal credit accounts, bank accounts, and prepaid credit and debit cards he created with stolen identities.
Kenneth Gilbert Gibson, 46, made his initial appearance in federal court on September 14. He was indicted on 10 counts of wire fraud; three counts of mail fraud; 10 counts of bank fraud; six counts of access device fraud; and six counts of aggravated identity theft.
El Dorado County Sheriff's Report
Submitted by paula on Sun, 09/03/2017 - 10:22am
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South Shore. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at time of story.
Some of those recently added to last week's log:
8/24
DCSO: Increase in auto burglaries in Stateline/Kingsbury area
Submitted by paula on Thu, 08/31/2017 - 7:38pm
Since August 24 there have been 13 burglaries with losses or attempted burglaries from unlocked cars in the lower Kingsbury and Stateline area of the South Shore. The crimes have been occurring in the dark hours to vehicles parked in driveways and on the street.
The losses include cash, wallets, a checkbook and and iPad. One witness reported seeing a white male 5’10, wearing shorts and a tee shirt wearing a baseball cap, carrying a backpack, trying to open a car door on a surveillance recording.
Four brothers arrested for string of high-end bicycle thefts in Truckee
Submitted by paula on Tue, 08/22/2017 - 5:08pm
Four brothers from San Francisco have been arrested in connection with the theft of an estimated $125,000 worth high-end mountain bikes from Truckee.
Starting in June, 2017, the Truckee Police Department began receiving theft reports of high-end mountain bikes from various locations in Truckee. The most common scenario happened with bikes on vehicle racks that were secured with the locking mechanism of the rack or a cable style lock.
NHP and MADD team up to keep Nevada highways safe
Submitted by paula on Mon, 08/14/2017 - 10:27pm
The Nevada Highway Patrol Association (NHPA) and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) announced a new strategic partnership today. The partnership will combine the NHPA's goal of continued safety on Nevada's highways and MADD's goals to end drunk and drugged driving, support victims of drunk driving, and bring an end to underage drinking.
El Dorado County Sheriff's Report
Submitted by paula on Sun, 08/06/2017 - 7:48am
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South Shore. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at time of story.
7/30
4:34 a.m. - Vacation Rental Ordinance - Colusa St - VHR NOISE COMPLAINT
10:03 a.m. - Coroner Case - Tahoe Paradise - 55-YEAR OLD MALE DECEASED
National Night Out - Staying safe at home, work and play
Submitted by paula on Sun, 07/30/2017 - 7:11pm
Every year, on the first Tuesday in August, nearly 40 million people in 16,000 communities across the United States turn out to celebrate National Night Out. The event was first hosted in 1984 as a way to bring communities together and promote stronger ties between citizens and the law enforcement personnel who serve them. Communities are at their best when neighbors feel a common bond and a sense of community not only among themselves but also with their local public servants, and National Night Out is a fun and enjoyable way to foster those important ties.
Two new members added to Douglas County K9 unit
Submitted by paula on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 4:34pm
There are two new members to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Beny and Bane.
Beny is from Slovakia and is a one-year-old German Shepard. His new partner is canine handler Deputy Adam Windsor, who has been with DCSO for 13 years. Deputy Windsor described Beny as "mellow."
Owners of Zephyr Cove company sentenced for fraudulent exchange visitor program
Submitted by paula on Wed, 06/28/2017 - 2:39pm
Perspective employees coming to the Unitied States on a J-1 Visa were taken advantage of by a company run by Zephyr Cove, Nevada resident David Marzano, his wife Linda Blair and adult daughter Janece Burke.
SLTPD 50th anniversary to have boat rides, K-9s, Calstar, BBQ, concert and awards
Submitted by paula on Fri, 05/19/2017 - 10:13pm
The community is in for a treat on Saturday, May 20 as the South Lake Tahoe Police Department celebrates 50 years of service with a party at Lakeview Commons from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Locals and visitors, young and old, can ride on the SLTPD boat, see the department's K-9s, watch a demonstration over the water with CalStar at 3:00 p.m., watch how the drone assists in rescues, an awards ceremony that will honor three citizens as well as staff at 4:00 p.m., and a free BBQ. There is also a free concert on the beach.
Two plead guilty to stealing recreation fees
Submitted by paula on Thu, 05/18/2017 - 8:30am
Two suspects have pled guilty to stealing from fee tubes on the Eldorado National Forest and other sites in El Dorado County.
Brian Lisanti and Deseree Tougas entered the pleas in El Dorado Superior Court after a multi-agency investigation uncovered the crimes.
South Lake Tahoe woman sentenced to 72 months in prison for fraud and theft
Submitted by paula on Tue, 04/04/2017 - 4:20pm
Karen Rae Chapon, 47, of South Lake Tahoe was sentenced Tuesday for the crimes of insurance fraud, mortgage fraud and theft according to Nevada Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt.
Chapon is the owner of Tahoe Weddings and Events in Zephyr Cove, Nevada.
Douglas County Sheriff's Captain overseas to help with Tongan gang activity
Submitted by paula on Mon, 04/03/2017 - 12:33pm
A Douglas County Sheriff's Captain was recently in the Kingdom of Tonga to assist in the development of a National Strategy on Deportation and Reintegration by providing invaluable insight on Pacific Island gangs.
Captain Joe Duffy was recruited by the Nevada National Guard for the assignment since Nevada is home to the sixth largest population of Tongans in the United States. He was part of a team of representatives from the United States which included: U.S. Ambassador Judith Cefkin and Nevada National Guard Brigadier General Zachary Doser.
Two women identified as suspects in Nevada burglaries
Submitted by paula on Wed, 03/29/2017 - 12:09pm
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office has warrants out for the arrest of two women in connection with a series of burglaries and burglary-related crimes in the county. One of the suspects is also a suspect in a number of burglaries currently under investigation by the Truckee Police Department, and the Carson City and Douglas County Sheriff’s Offices.
Auto thefts and burglaries continue to target South Lake Tahoe residents
Submitted by paula on Wed, 03/22/2017 - 9:06pm
There has been a rash of suspicious circumstances in the Gardner Mountain area over the last week, ones that remind residents to lock their cars to prevent petty theft and other crimes of opportunity.
On March 19 between 4:04 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., 10 calls went into the South Lake Tahoe Police Department about suspicious activity on Gardner Street, Clement Street, Julie Lane, Tata Lane and Sand Harbor Road. In each incident, dome lights were on several cars as if some person(s) attempted to open them. In one incident the truck's doors were open and a stereo was stolen.
Reno man charged in threats against Carson City judge after matching DNA confirmed
Submitted by paula on Tue, 03/21/2017 - 5:16pm
The man believed to be responsible for shooting at and attempting to firebomb the home of a Carson City judge and sending him a threatening Christmas card in the mail has been formally charged for the crimes, officials announced Tuesday.
Carson City District Attorney Jason Woodbury announced Reno area resident Jason Aston, 74, is charged with fourth-degree arson, aggravated stalking and discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling. His bail is set at $250,000 cash.
Nevada law enforcement focusing on impaired drivers
Submitted by paula on Tue, 03/21/2017 - 1:01pm
Between 2011 and 2015, 369 lives were lost in Nevada in alcohol-related crashes, one of the deadliest and most often committed of crimes on the road. Impaired drivers have consistently been the most common cause of motor vehicle crashes resulting in injuries and deaths in Nevada which is a serious safety epidemic.
There is someone injured in a car accident every two minutes, and someone killed every 53 minutes in the United States involving an impaired driver. This is a preventable crime, and lives can be saved by following some simple steps.
Lt. Brian Williams retiring after 30 years serving the South Lake Tahoe community
Submitted by paula on Sun, 03/19/2017 - 4:05pm
As he reflects back on 30 years in uniform for the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, Lt. Brian Williams knows the dates that will be forever etched into his memory. 12/29/1986, 6/10/1991, 1/29/1997, 10/25/2005 and 8/26/2009.
December 29, 1986: Brian starts with SLTPD and heads off to the Police Academy in Santa Rosa.
Man who brought kidnapped woman to South Lake Tahoe spending 40 years in prison
Submitted by paula on Thu, 03/16/2017 - 8:34pm
Matthew D. Muller, a 40-year-old disbarred lawyer from Orangevale who often spent time at his family cabin in the South Lake Tahoe area, was sentenced today to 40 years in prison for the kidnapping Denise Hoskins at the Vallejo home she shared with her boyfriend on March 23, 2015.
Auto burglaries on rise in South Lake Tahoe; Two car thefts in one day
Submitted by paula on Thu, 03/02/2017 - 11:52pm
The South Lake Tahoe Police Department is warning residents and visitors to take extra precaution in protecting their valuables as nine thefts from vehicles occurred between February 20-25, and two cars were stolen on February 24.
Six of the auto burglaries were in the Tahoe Island area and most of the cars involved in the City were left unlocked by their owners.
The first stolen car was a 2010 Silver Nissan Altima with Illinois license plate Z495853. It was stolen from the 1100 block of Herbert Avenue but has since been recovered.
Couple convicted of 2015 mail and identity thefts in El Dorado County
Submitted by paula on Fri, 02/03/2017 - 1:06pm
San Joaquin County residents Aman Izatt, 30, and Jarrod Izatt, 35, were sentenced to over 24 years in prison on January 27 for their part in a 2015 identity theft case in El Dorado County.
Carson City, law enforcement agencies investigate new information in threats against local judge
Submitted by paula on Thu, 02/02/2017 - 2:05pm
The Carson City Sheriff’s Office and several law enforcement agencies are investigating new information related to threats made against a Carson City judge, Sheriff Ken Furlong said Thursday.
On Wednesday, Carson City Sheriff’s Office detectives and Department of Public Safety investigators received information that an inmate at the Washoe County Sheriff’s Detention Center was being held on a 2011 felony contempt of court warrant out of Carson City.
Immigrants in South Lake Tahoe reach out to police and school district
Submitted by paula on Tue, 01/31/2017 - 12:26pm
South Lake Tahoe is a community of diverse backgrounds reaching around the world, and with President Trump's current dialog on immigration, concerns are arising among immigrants who call Tahoe home, and from those that represent them in the area.
The current enrollment of Lake Tahoe Unified School District shows 42.4 percent are Hispanic, 3.6 percent Filipino, 1.2 percent Asian, 48.1 percent white and the rest of other nationalities.
Two arrested for 'spotlighting' and other charges surrounding illegal deer hunting
Submitted by paula on Thu, 12/22/2016 - 11:35pm
Two Markleville, Calif., men were arrested on December 17 after a Department of Fish Wildlife warden caught them near Diamond Valley Road and Airport Road (Alpine County) as they attempted to "spotlight" deer.
According to Lt. Chris Stoots of California Fish & Wildlife, Ramsey Gene Horse, 29, and William Eugene Berreman, 26, were allegedly driving a Ford sedan with an artificial light in an attempt to spot and kill deer, an illegal action called spotlighting. They also had two loaded rifles in the back seat.
South Lake Tahoe man jailed for alleged food tampering now faces new charges
Submitted by paula on Fri, 12/09/2016 - 8:29pm
Harry Dally, the man accused of putting a bleach-like substance on food at two locations in South Lake Tahoe, is now facing additional charges of assaulting a custodial officer with a deadly weapon.
On December 4, 2016, Dally allegedly created a makeshift edged weapon while in the El Dorado County Jail and attacked a correctional officer. The officer did not sustain any injuries according to El Dorado County Sheriff's Sgt. Tasha Thompson.
Caltrops on South Shore roads causing dozens of flat tires
Submitted by paula on Wed, 12/07/2016 - 12:52am
South Lake Tahoe local Monika Taboada was picking her daughter up from the training room at South Tahoe High on Sunday when she received a flat on one of her new snow tires, leaving her the victim of another "Ninja Road Star" being left on roads around town.
Over the past several months there have been dozens of stories just like Taboada's.
El Dorado County Sheriff's Report
Submitted by admin on Sun, 12/04/2016 - 3:40pm
El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county.
The following are calls that only pertain to the South Shore. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at time of story.
11/27/16
1:58 p.m. - Obstruction of a Peace Officer - S. Upper Truckee Rd - 61-YEAR-OLD FEMALE ARRESTED FOR OBSTRUCTING A PEACE OFFICER IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES.
11/28/16
1:00 p.m. - Possession of a controlled substance - Lake Tahoe Blvd
11/29/16
Suspect arrested in South Lake Tahoe food contamination crime
Submitted by paula on Tue, 11/22/2016 - 11:01pm
A South Lake Tahoe man is behind bars tonight after being arrested as the suspect in a food contamination case at Raley’s in the Village Center near Stateline.
On Tuesday, November 22, South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) arrested 43-year-old Harry Dally at his residence and booked him into county jail on a single felony count of intentionally dispensing a contaminating substance capable of causing death or injury on food items for human consumption. At this time he is only charged with the crime at the Hot Wok inside of Raley’s. His bail has been set at $100,000.
Suspect in South Lake Tahoe murder changes plea to guilty
Submitted by paula on Tue, 11/22/2016 - 8:45pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - It was an emotional day in court Tuesday as one of the suspects in the January 30, 2016 murder of Dennis "Spike" Wright, Jr. withdrew his plea of not guilty and plead guilty to an amended criminal complaint that included four felonies surrounding Wright's murder and robbery.
Sheriff offers advice for surviving Black Friday and Cyber Monday
Submitted by admin on Mon, 11/21/2016 - 10:32pm
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are just days away. As the excitement of the holiday shopping season builds, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office offers some tips that will help everyone have a successful day, as long as they focus on personal safety.
Here are some tips to keep in mind before heading out to the stores:
First and foremost, stay alert. Do not get so caught up in the shopping frenzy that you lose awareness of your surroundings. Report suspicious activity to law enforcement or store security.
Is South Lake Tahoe safer after passage of the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act?
Submitted by paula on Sun, 11/06/2016 - 2:03pm
The current crime and police officer staffing statistics in City of South Lake Tahoe is consistent with the State of California as a whole. Most of the crimes for which the Safe Neighborhood and Schools Act have mandated a reduction in criminal penalties have increased in our city. Also consistent with state-wide statistics is the reduction in numbers of South Lake Tahoe police officers available to address local crime.
Property crimes on the rise in South Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Sun, 11/06/2016 - 2:00pm
Readers of South Tahoe Now's reports on local crime have seen an increase in reports of property crimes such as petty theft, theft from cars, auto theft and robbery.
What Denver DA wants Californians to know about legalizing marijuana
Submitted by paula on Mon, 10/31/2016 - 6:56pm
As voters in California prepare to vote either for or against Proposition 64, the legalization of marijuana, the District Attorney of Denver has written a letter warning against "yes" votes, and shares what they learned as a state since legalizing the recreational use of the drug.
Mitchell R. Morrissey said the promises made in the proposition are "lies."
Special fraud officer appointed to oversee elections in El Dorado County
Submitted by paula on Wed, 10/26/2016 - 4:01pm
A special election officer has been appointed by the U.S. Attorney's Office to oversee any complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud," said Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert. "The Department of Justice will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process.”
SLEDNET: South Shore drug task force dissolved
Submitted by paula on Thu, 09/29/2016 - 4:24pm
For the past several months there has been no official SLEDNET servicing the South Shore, and today it was announced that the drug task force that has been serving the community since 1988 has dissolved.
DA Vern Pierson produces video on protecting loved ones from cyber trolls
Submitted by paula on Fri, 09/16/2016 - 10:33pmIn an attempt to combat and bring awareness to cyber sexual predators, scam artists and bullying, District Attorney Vern Pierson has produced this webisode on how to protect you and your loved ones.
Jaycee Dugard loses bid to sue government over her 1991 kidnapping
Submitted by paula on Fri, 08/26/2016 - 9:54pm
Jaycee Dugard cannot sue the U.S. Government for failing to properly supervise her kidnapper while he was on parole, a federal appeals court ruled Friday.
Dugard was just 11-years-old when convicted sex offender Philip Garrido kidnapped her as she made her way up the street from her home to her bus stop in South Lake Tahoe.
Police arrest person of interest for sexual assault in South Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Mon, 08/08/2016 - 4:04pm
A South Lake Tahoe man is behind bars after being identified as a possible suspect in at least one of the recent assault crimes in the community.
Oscar Raygoza Huerta, 23 of South Lake Tahoe, was arrested on Friday, August 5 on charges of assault intent to commit mayhem or rape, a felony. He is currently in the El Dorado County jail on a $100,000 bail hold.
Last week, South Lake Tahoe Police detectives released sketches of the suspect created after interviews with two of the victims. Leads from those photos led to the arrest.
11 arrested during "Operation Safer Streets"
Submitted by paula on Tue, 08/02/2016 - 9:32pm
Fifteen officers from three Northern Nevada agencies recently completed "Operation Safe Streets," putting them in touch with dozens of high risk offenders in the Carson City, Douglas County, Washoe County and Lyon County areas.
Nevada Department of Public Safety- Division of Parole and Probation in collaboration with the Carson City Sheriff’s Office, and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office made the contacts on July 29 and July 30, resulting in 11 arrests.
