Secret Witness - South Lake Tahoe

04/03/2021

A male suspect had approached a teller, telling them he had a gun, and asking for money. He received an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the scene to the southeast through the Raley's parking lot on a BMX style bike.

The suspect is described as a Caucasian male, about 5’11”, with short brown hair. He was wearing a dark-colored zip-up hooded jacket or sweatshirt, a two-toned trucker hat and a dark green gaiter mask. His photo is shown above.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, please contact SLTPD at (530) 542-6100 and reference case 2103-0047. To report information anonymously, call Secret Witness at (530) 541-6800.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - At about 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 1, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) responded to the report of a robbery at the "Y" branch of Wells Fargo Bank, 1032 Emerald Bay Road. A male suspect had approached a teller, telling them he had a gun, and asking for mone...

03/18/2020

Woman beaten and robbed of groceries and wallet in South Lake Tahoe
(from South Tahoe Now)

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 57-year-old woman from South Lake Tahoe was attacked and robbed Saturday, March 14 around 9:00 p.m. as she was walking home from grocery shopping. The victim was walking toward Tata Lane from Raley's at the Y when attacked in the meadow behind the grocery store and Alpine Liquor.

An unidentified male threw her to the ground and hit the woman, causing serious injuries. She remains hospitalized Tuesday in the Intensive Care Unit.

The man took her groceries and wallet.

The alleged robber is being described as a homeless male adult wearing a black beanie, black ski mask, a dark jacket, and light-colored pants, according to SLTPD.

If you witnessed this crime, seen similar crimes, or have been the victim of a similar crime, please call the South Lake Tahoe Police Department 530-542-6100 or Secret Witness at 530-541-6800 reference case #2003-1368.

01/03/2020

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — A suspicious death off in South Lake Tahoe has turned into a murder investigation.On Dec. 16, 2019 around 11:52 a.m., South Lake Tahoe Police

01/02/2020

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — Washoe County Sheriff’s Office has expanded its search for a fugitive that was spotted early Thursday morning on Lake Tahoe’s North Shore. Sean Purdy, 20,

06/28/2019

Woman wakes up to find a bullet hole in her bedroom, SLTPD Investigating

South Lake Tahoe, CA- South Lake Tahoe Police got a call from a woman who says she found a bullet hole in her window this morning.

The woman, who lives in the 3000 block of Fresno Ave., told officers she woke up to a loud noise around 3:00 AM and realized she had debris on her face. She didn’t think much of it and went back to sleep. When she woke up this morning, she found what she says is a bullet hole in her bedroom window.

It turned out; investigators found three bullet holes in the house and a fourth that entered a neighboring house in the 700 block of Tallac Ave. Police also found four handgun shell casings at the scene.

South Lake Tahoe Police don’t believe this is a random incident. Tonight, the investigation continues, and no other details are available right now.

Anyone with information regarding this shooting is requested to call the South Lake Tahoe Police Department at (530) 542-6100 or can remain anonymous by calling Lake Tahoe Secret Witness at 530-541-6800

09/08/2018

Pair sought in robbery at Hard Rock Lake Tahoe; Reward offered

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) is asking for the public's help in identifying two suspects they believe are responsible for a robbery at the Hard Rock Casino in Lake Tahoe on August 21.
The female suspect met the male victim on the casino floor and they went up to his hotel room. The suspect then left to get her "uncle" who was sleeping in a vehicle at an unknown location. The pair returned to the hotel room where the victim was then assaulted, sprayed with bear repellant and robbed of approximately $2,300 in cash. They then left the casino on foot towards the California-Nevada state line.
Secret Witness is offering a $1000 reward to anyone with information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of the suspect(s). Your identity is not needed, and you will remain anonymous. Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to call DCSO Dispatch at (775) 782-5126, Douglas County Secret Witness at: 775-78-CRIME (775-782-7463), DCSO Investigations at (775) 782-9905, or Lake Tahoe Secret Witness at: 530-541-6800. Reference case number 18SO24901.

06/13/2018

$2500 Reward offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer. Call Lake Tahoe Secret Witness at (530) 541-6800. You will will remain anonymous.

A 62-year-old South Lake Tahoe man has died after being shot multiple times by an unknown assailant. Gregory Mitchoff was found in the 3600 block of Spruce Avenue in South Lake Tahoe by police responding to a report of gunshots heard at 9:30 p.m. They rendered aid and Mitchoff was transported to Bar...

03/26/2018

Secret Witness is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual robbing the Wells Fargo Bank at the Y and Emerald Bay Rd. on 3/24/18 at approx. 12:57 PM.

The suspect is described a White or Hispanic male, approximately 40 years old, wearing blue jeans, a tan beanie style hat, a dark green or brown zip-up jacket and black gloves. The suspect also had a black goatee and moustache, along with wire frame glasses.

If you have any information, call Secret Witness at (530) 541-6800. The call received is strictly anonymous.

04/08/2017

SACRAMENTO -- The ex-husband of a 62-year-old Sacramento woman who went missing in Tahoe Monday afternoon told FOX40 News he did not expect to see her again. He was the last person who reported seeing her before her disappearance. "I am trying to do what I can for what she would have wanted me to do...

01/03/2017

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE POLICE DEPARTMENT
NEWS RELEASE
Tuesday, January 3rd, 2016

Contact: Lt. Brian Williams
Phone: 530-542-6100
Fax: 530-542-6146
Address: 1352 Johnson Blvd. South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
Case No: 1612-2264 / Detective Herminghaus
Arrested: Kevin Gonzalez

UPDATE: Drive By Shooting In South Lake Tahoe

Just prior to 10:00pm on December 29th 2016, SLTPD received a report of a drive by shooting at the Pioneer Inn Motel, located at 3863 Pioneer Trail in South Lake Tahoe. Officers responded and looked for a suspect vehicle described as a dark pick-up truck. Officers did not immediately locate the vehicle or any involved suspect(s). Detectives responded to the crime scene, collected evidence and interviewed witnesses.

Witnesses described that several young Hispanic males occupied the truck, which had driven westbound on Pioneer Trail and stopped in front of the Pioneer Inn parking lot. One or more of the vehicle occupants began shooting into the parking lot area of the motel. The truck then left westbound on Pioneer Trail. Witnesses all described that several rounds were discharged from the suspect vehicle, but a specific number has not yet been fully determined. No one was injured. Investigation is in progress in an effort to identify suspect(s) and/or motives for this crime. Witnesses have told police they suspect the crime may be related to gang activity, but this has yet to be confirmed by investigators.

Throughout a very busy night, SLTPD patrol officers continued to search the area. Before sunrise this morning they located a vehicle parked in the 3600 block of Pioneer Trail which generally matched the suspect vehicle description, and may have been involved in this event. Investigation throughout the night and early morning confirmed this was in fact the vehicle involved in the shooting as described by witnesses. After sunrise this morning, with assistance from the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, several SLTPD Officers and Detectives contacted the owner of this vehicle and several other occupants of the vehicle owner’s residence on Pioneer Trail in South Lake Tahoe.

Detectives have seized this vehicle pending a search warrant. They are currently questioning the people contacted this morning to identify any specific suspect(s) related to the drive by shooting at the Pioneer Inn Motel last night, to determine a possible motive and whether or not this crime may be gang related.

UPDATE:

On 12/30/16 Kevin Gonzales, an 18 year old South Lake Tahoe resident, was arrested in connection with this drive-by shooting. Gonzalez was booked into the El Dorado County Jail in South Lake Tahoe for one felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon and one misdemeanor charge of destruction of evidence. Because the case is still being investigated, and we anticipate questioning additional suspects in this matter, the actions of Gonzalez specific to the shooting are not being revealed in this news release. The charge of destruction of evidence is based upon detectives’ observations of Gonzalez. Prior to his arrest, while detectives were surveilling the vehicle involved in the drive by shooting, detectives watched Gonzalez retrieve and attempt to destroy evidence from the vehicle. The specific nature of this evidence is being intentionally withheld at this time based on investigative necessity. Detectives recovered the undamaged evidence in question at the time they arrested Gonzalez. No fi****ms have yet been recovered in this case. We have no information at this time which ties this crime to gang activity. Gonzalez’ bail is set at 75,000 dollars. More suspects are being sought in this investigation and we anticipate more arrests will be made in this case.

If anyone witnessed this crime, or has information relative to this case, please call the South Lake Tahoe Police Department at 530-542-6100, or Lake Tahoe Secret Witness at 530-541-6800.

12/30/2016

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Lt. Brian Williams

Phone: 530-542-6100

Fax: 530-542-6146

Address: 1352 Johnson Blvd. South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150

Case No: 1612-2264 / Detective Herminghaus

Friday, December 30th, 2016

Drive By Shooting In South Lake Tahoe Just prior to 1 O:OOpm last night, December 29th 2016, SLTPD received a report of a drive by shooting at the Pioneer Inn Motel, located at 3863 Pioneer Trail in South Lake Tahoe. Officers responded and looked for a suspect vehicle described as a dark pick-up truck. Officers did not immediately locate the vehicle or any involved suspect(s). Detectives responded to the crime scene, collected evidence and interviewed witnesses.

Witnesses described that several young Hispanic males occupied the truck, which had driven westbound on

Pioneer Trail and stopped in front of the Pioneer Inn parking lot. One or more of the vehicle occupants began shooting into the parking lot area of the motel. The truck then left westbound on Pioneer Trail. Witnesses all described that several rounds were discharged from the suspect vehicle, but a specific number has not yet been fully determined. No one was injured. Investigation is in progress, in an effort to identify suspect(s) and/or motives for this crime. Witnesses have told police they suspect the crime may be related to gang activity, but this has yet to be confirmed by investigators.

Throughout a very busy night, SLTPD patrol officers continued to search the area. Before sunrise this morning they located a vehicle parked in the 3600 block of Pioneer Trail which generally matched the suspect vehicle description and may have been involved in this event. Investigation throughout the night and early morning
confirmed this was in fact the vehicle involved in the shooting as described by witnesses. After sunrise this morning, with assistance from the El Dorado County Sheriffs Office, several SLTPD Officers and Detectives contacted the owner of this vehicle and several other occupants of the vehicle owner's residence on Pioneer
Trail.

Detectives have seized this vehicle pending a search warrant. They are currently questioning the several people contacted this morning to identify any specific suspect(s) related to the drive by shooting at the Pioneer Inn Motel last night, to determine a possible motive and whether or not this crime may be gang related.

Further information related to identification of suspects and/or arrests will follow as this case progresses. If anyone witnessed this crime, or has information relative to this case, please call the South Lake Tahoe Police Department at 530-542-6100, or Lake Tahoe Secret Witness at 530-541-6800.

12/15/2016

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE POLICE DEPARTMENT
NEWS RELEASE

Thursday, December 15st, 2016

Contact: Detective Justin Brock
Phone: 530-542-6100
Fax: 530-542-6146
Address: 1352 Johnson Blvd. South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
Reference case # 1612-0954

MISSING PERSON AT-RISK

During the early morning hours of December 15, 2016 SLTPD Patrol Officers responded to the area of Bonanza Ave for a missing person report. The caregiver for Tara Dawn Johnson reported that Johnson left her apartment near Bonanza Ave and F St in South Lake Tahoe to walk her dog at approximately 10:30PM. Johnson was last seen with her black and white Chihuahua “Bert” in that area. It is out of character for her to not return. Johnson was last seen wearing blue sweatpants, a black jacket, turquoise earrings and three necklaces. Johnson suffers from medical conditions which require her to take medication and has a diminished mental capacity. For these reasons, we consider Tara Johnson an At-Risk Missing Person. We are requesting our public’s assistance to watch for Johnson and to help us recover her safely.

Tara Dawn Johnson 46 Year Old white female adult
Height: 5’01” Weight: 120lbs Eyes: Brown Hair Brown & Grey in a bun.

Anyone who may have information about this case is encouraged to call the South Lake Tahoe Police Department at 530-542-6100, or to remain anonymous, Lake Tahoe Secret Witness at 530-541-6800.