Man arrested after allegedly stealing vehicle in South Lake Tahoe, leading chase into Nevada

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A car being warmed up in the driveway of a Tahoe Sierra home in South Lake Tahoe was stolen at approximately 6:40 a.m. Monday, September 21, and the alleged thief led law enforcement on a chase that ended near Marla Bay in Nevada.

As soon as the call of the stolen car was dispatched, Officer Jason Nixon of the South Lake Tahoe Department (SLTPD) spotted the vehicle, a Lincoln Navigator, and started pursuit. He was joined by other officers and the chase went into Nevada and Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) joined in near Kahle Drive.

The driver of the Navigator hit speeds of approximately 85-90 mph according to DCSO Deputy Ron Skibinksi. His report said the driver of the stolen vehicle made several lane changes to go around vehicles and at one time Skibinski thought it would crash into one of those cars.

The driver then motioned to law enforcement he was going to pull over and did so in the parking lot of Blue Lake Tavern at Marla Bay. They approached the suspect who put his hands outside of the car window before being arrested and transferred to the Douglas County Jail.

Thadd M. Winton, age 31, was arrested on suspicion of Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Eluding, Reckless Driving and Basic Speed over 80 mph. According to DCSO he is from South Lake Tahoe.

The car was removed from the parking lot by SLTPD once the scene was cleared.

SLTPD Sgt. Russell Liles reminds residents that every year in the fall and winter the number of stolen cars increase in South Lake Tahoe. Most of the time these cars are being warmed up in the owner's driveways, and when they exit their home to drive away they find their car missing, Liles said. Cars warming up usually have their keys in the ignition, making them an easy target to a potential criminal. Liles said most of these crimes are between the hours of 4:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.