detectives

Carson City sheriff's investigators make multiple robbery, kidnapping arrests

Carson City Sheriff’s Office detectives and the Special Enforcement Team have arrested several people related to an ongoing investigation that involved alleged kidnapping and robbery.

Patrol deputies responded to a report of a battery with a deadly weapon call on Sunday, Nov. 25 at around 2:00 a.m. near the water tower area of Goni Road, said CCSO Capt. Brian Humphrey.

Ex-Humane Society director finishes jail term just one month after guilty plea

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Even though she was sentenced to six months in jail after taking a plea deal for her embezzlement of almost $60,000, Niki Congero, the former executive director of the Lake Tahoe Humane Society, has been released and is now back in Tennessee a free woman.

She was in the El Dorado County Jail from August 1 to October 28, a total of 89 days. Her jail term started the day of her arrest in Tennessee.

Names released in officer involved shooting in South Lake Tahoe

The names of the two South Lake Tahoe police detectives involved in last Monday's officer involved shooting have been released.

Armed robbery suspect identified as man killed after shooting at police

11/1/18 update: More details have come to light surrounding the officer involved shooting of an armed robbery suspect in Meyers on Monday.

There were three warrants for the arrest of Billy Jo Johnson on Monday, one from each South Lake Tahoe, Douglas County and Carson City. Law enforcement from each agency were working together on their cases in an attempt to locate and arrest the 34-year-old Johnson.

Officer involved shooting leaves one man dead and two roads closed

10/30 Update: The shooting suspect from the officer involved shooting on October 29, 2018 has been positively identified as 34-year-old Billy Jo Johnson of Gardnerville, Nev.

Next of kin notifications have been completed.

This is still an active investigation and no further information is available at this time.

* * *
7:15 p.m. update - The suspect who died after the pursuit had a felony warrant for arrest for a PC 211, Robbery with a Firearm.

Former Lake Tahoe Humane Society director offered plea agreement

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The former executive director of the Lake Tahoe Humane Society will be back in court on Monday, September 24 to face felony charges of embezzlement.

Nicola "Niki" Congero has been offered a plea agreement by the El Dorado County District Attorney's Office and has until the 8:30 a.m. hearing Monday to give them her answer. She is being represented by El Dorado County Public Defender James Warden who has been with Congero during her court hearings on August 28 and September 10.

EDC homicide at pot cultivation site with ties to Mexican drug cartel

A marijuana cultivation site that has ties to a Mexican drug cartel has now been identified as the scene of an El Dorado County murder.

Ex-Humane Society director accused of embezzlement back in El Dorado County

Nicola "Niki" Congero, the former Lake Tahoe Humane Society (LTHS) executive director accused of embezzlement, is now sitting in the El Dorado County Jail in Placerville.

On Sunday, August 19, 2018, the El Dorado County Sheriff's extradition team returned from Knoxville, Tennessee with Congero. She is accused of using the LTHS debit card on personal things such gambling, rental furniture for her home, dentist bills, family cell phones, repairs to family members vehicles, and numerous point of sale purchases with cash back at casinos, just to name a few.

Douglas County Sheriff's Office investigates cold case murder

UPDATE: The Douglas County Sheriff's Office did not find anything pertaining to the case on the Centerville Lane parcel and have left the area. They used cadaver dogs and ground radar to search for human remains.

Former Lake Tahoe Humane Society director arrested on embezzlement charges

Detectives from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department flew to Tennessee overnight to arrest Nicola "Niki" Congero, the former executive director of Lake Tahoe Humane Society.

Congero, 50, was arrested without incident on the morning of Wednesday, August 1 and booked into the Knoxville jail on charges of embezzling approximately $60,000 from the South Lake Tahoe based non-profit. She is being held there on $200,000 bail and is currently awaiting extradition.

Five South Lake Tahoe residents arrested after Homewood home burglarized twice

Five South Lake Tahoe residents have been arrested by the Placer County Sheriff's Office on burglary charges after a Homewood, California home was broken into twice in the past week.

After the first incident on July 24, deputies responded to Sacramento Avenue in Homewood for a reported residential burglary. The burglars had broken into a home and stole numerous items, including a Mercedes Benz that had been parked in the garage.

Arson suspect arrested in 47K acre Perry Fire burning near Reno

An arrest has been made in connection with the Perry Fire, which has burned over 47,000 acres north of Reno as of Tuesday afternoon.

A 34-year-old Reno man is in custody on multiple arson charges as part of a joint fire and law enforcement investigation into the cause of the fire which started on July 27, 2018.

The fire is 31 percent contained at this hour

Man stabbed over parking space at South Lake Tahoe CVS

Road rage over a parking spot in South Lake Tahoe led to the stabbing of a 51-year-old man from San Jose on Thursday, July 12.

At about 10:30 a.m., the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) received numerous 911 calls about a stabbing in front of the CVS Pharmacy located at 3471 Lake Tahoe Blvd.

Upon arrival they found Scott Nevin bleeding from a stab wound. Witnesses identified 71-year-old Paul Ivanovsky from Sparks as the person who allegedly stabbed Nevin, and he was sitting in his car nearby, awaiting the arrival of police.

South Lake Tahoe jury finds man guilty of pandering and pimping

A Sacramento man is facing over 20 years in prison after a jury in South Lake Tahoe found him guilty on 11 counts of felony Pandering and 3 counts of Felony Pimping.

Isiah Campbell was arrested on March 3, 2017 after El Dorado County detectives set up an undercover operation targeting human trafficking and prostitution in the Placerville area.

Two arrested for stealing "bait bike" placed by South Lake Tahoe police

Two South Lake Tahoe men were arrested during a recent "Bait Bike" sting operation conducted in the 3900 block of Pioneer Trail.

South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) detectives and officers arrested the men after a bike owned by SLTPD was placed in a public place. Within minutes of the bike's placement, it was stolen.

Arrested for Grand Theft were Joel Morris, 27, and Ramon Saldana Madrigal, 36.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

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:

5/23

8:00 a.m. - Assist Other Agency - Johnson Blvd - SLT PD DETECTIVES REQUESTED ASSISTANCE WITH ARREST OF 29-YEAR-OLD MALE.

Man arrested in South Lake Tahoe after allegedly stabbing roommate

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - One man is behind bars and another at Renown Medical Center with life threatening injuries after an altercation Monday between roommates at a Stateline area motel.

At 12:30 p.m. on May 28, officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) responded to a report of a stabbing at the Mark Twain Motel at 947 Park Avenue. Upon arrival they found a 23-year-old man who had recently moved to South Lake Tahoe with numerous life threatening wounds to his head and leg.

Missing Carson City boy found in Reno

UPDATE 3:52 p.m.: Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong told News 4 the 11-year-old boy walked more than 12 miles on Wednesday afternoon after getting in an argument with family members. Brendan Hubbs-Whitney was found near the Chocolate Nugget candy factory in Washoe Valley by a woman who was on her way to Reno early Thursday morning

* * *
UPDATE 11:15 a.m.; An 11-year-old boy reported missing was found safe Thursday morning by authorities in Reno, according to family members and confirmed by Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong.

El Dorado County man gets 7 years for cannabis sales and honey oil lab

A Cameron Park man is looking at seven years in prison after he plead guilty on March 29, 2018 to illegally manufacturing concentrated cannabis, commonly referred to as Butane Honey Oil, and illegally transporting/shipping marijuana across the United States.

Michael Ryan Wills, 31, was the subject of investigations by El Dorado County Sheriff narcotics detectives with the assistance from the United States Postal Inspector’s Service over two years.

Accidental drowning ruled as cause of death of woman found in Upper Truckee River

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The cause of death of the Sacramento resident whose body was found in the Upper Truckee River in South Lake Tahoe on April 9, 2017 has been as accidental drowning by the El Dorado County Coroner.

Pamela Suswinsky, 62, was in town with her ex-husband and friend, Henry Suwinsky, and they were staying at the Motel 6 on Lake Tahoe Blvd. Henry said they came to town because she wanted her dog, Wilson, a 150-plus pound Newfoundland to experience snow for the first time.

New board members and volunteers sought for Lake Tahoe Humane Society

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It's been almost one year since the Lake Tahoe Humane Society (LTHS) fired their former Executive Director Niki Congero amid allegations of embezzlement. For months, South Lake Tahoe Police detectives worked through piles of paperwork and film, completing the case for the El Dorado County District Attorney in December. Since then, the case has been in the hands of the DA's office, but nothing has happened yet.

Wells Fargo Bank in South Lake Tahoe robbed; FBI and Police search for suspect

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department is looking for a man who robbed the Wells Fargo Bank at the Y on Emerald Bay Road on Saturday, March 24, 2018.

According to police detectives, the man walked into the bank at 12:57 p.m. and presented a note to the teller advising that a robbery was occurring. The male subject did not present a weapon, and it is unknown at this time if he was armed or not. The suspect left the bank with an undisclosed amount of US currency.

DNA tests confirm identities of two bodies found in Fallen Leaf Lake

The identities of the two bodies found in Fallen Leaf Lake in the fall of 2017 have been released, confirming what law enforcement found at the time. They were identified as 71-year-old Cynthia Ellis and 74-year-old Michael Whalen after the California Department of Justice verified them through DNA samples.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Detectives said there is no evidence of foul play.

South Lake Tahoe man facing charges of assaulting roommate with shotgun

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) has arrested a 34-year-old local man on charges stemming from an incident March 12 where he is suspected of firing a shotgun at his roommate.

At about 10:00 p.m. Tuesday, SLTPD dispatch received a 911 call of a possible disturbance and gunshot in the 3700 block of Aspen Avenue. Officers arrived and attempted to located the source of the gunshot. The blocked off Aspen Avenue hear Wildwood Avenue in the process.

Men wanted in connection to El Dorado County homicide captured in Carson City

3/15/18 UPDATE: Two men arrested early Wednesday at a Carson City home have been identified and now face murder charges in El Dorado County, Calif.

Chase Bomar, 19, and Cody Bomar, 21, were taken into custody after Carson City Sheriff’s Office SWAT responded to assist El Dorado County authorities at a home in the 1200 block of Palo Verde Drive.

The men were wanted in connection to the fatal stabbing of Jeremy Fortuin, 42, of Pollock Pines. The stabbing happened on Pony Express Trail in Cedar Grove on the west slope of El Dorado County.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

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:

2/28

3:41 p.m. - Runaway Juvenile - Tahoe Paradise - R/P REPORTED A RUNAWAY JUVENILE.

3/2

Three arrested for extortion attempt in Washoe County

Washoe County Sheriff’s Office arrested three men Wednesday night after an attempt to extort $40,000 dollars from a resident living in the area of El Rancho Drive east of Sun Valley Boulevard. The arrests were the result of a successful sting operation by Sheriff’s Office detectives.

Reno man missing after he leaves town for Victorville, California

Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Detectives are looking for information that would help locate a 60-year-old man who has been missing for more than a week.

Thomas Arthur Kraft was last seen in Reno on February 3, 2018. On that date, Kraft told a roommate that he was driving to Victorville, California to attend the funeral of a family member. He has not been seen since and was reported missing by his roommate on February 7.

Kraft was driving a 2016 Dark Grey Jeep Compass with paper license plates 1175960 NV.

Tahoma murder suspect identified

LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - Sunday's suspicious death in Tahoma has officially been ruled a homicide by El Dorado County Sheriff’s Detectives.

Jeremy David Virgo, 47, was arrested for murder after a chase ensued after deputies from El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) responded to shots being fired in the area of Timber Wolf Drive and Alder Street in the West Shore community of Tahoma.

Death in Tahoma leads to chase and arrest at Homewood Ski Resort

4:00 p.m. update: A 47-year-old man has been identified as the suspect in Sunday's murder in Tahoma. For more information: http://southtahoenow.com/story/02/12/2018/tahoma-murder-suspect-identified

LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. A chase along State Route 89 between Tahoma and Homewood today resulted in the arrest of a man who is being accused of being involved in a shooting and suspicious death.

Fatal fire in South Lake Tahoe

4:15 p.m. 2/12/18 update: Family members say the man who died in Sunday's house fire is Dean Eastin. His former sister-in-law Mimi Bertrand told South Tahoe Now that it was Dean who died. His two adult children, Lori and Gregory, moved from South Lake Tahoe and now live in Grants Pass, Oregon.

* * *
8:00 p.m. update: The cause of the deadly fire in South Lake Tahoe today was the result of smoking materials on a couch. The deceased is a 58-year-old male. There is an ongoing investigation by the South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue and Police departments. No name has been released.

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Murder in the Mountains

It is a story about drugs.
It is a story about money.
It is a story about murder.
And it is a story about justice.

Suspect sought in Washoe County car burglary at Tahoe

The public's help is being sought in locating a person of interest in a vehicle break-in on January 1 in the parking area of a trail head off Mt. Rose Highway.

Washoe County Sheriff’s Office detectives say their suspect broke through the window of the vehicle and stole a number of credit cards along with identification and keys. Subsequent investigation discovered that the credit cards had been used at multiple locations in Kings Beach, a gas station in San Ramon, California and at several locations in Reno, including Walmarts.

Suspected illegal butane lab explodes in El Dorado County; 1 adult, 1 minor injured

On adult male and one juvenile were hospitalized after an explosion at a Camino, California home on January 1, 2018.

Initially, El Dorado County Fire responded to the 3:25 p.m. call of an explosion in a home in the 5100 block of Pony Express Trail. They then asked for El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office to respond to the scene for a possible butane extraction lab explosion.

Joshua Jamison, 39, was at the home when the explosion occurred and suffered burns to his face. He was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and released.

Unique items uncovered by Washoe County Sheriffs, owners sought

As part of an ongoing investigation, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office ATAC detectives recently located some unique items they believe to be stolen, and are now attempting to locate potential victims.

Among the items recently recovered are two boxed bounce houses and two bounce house fans. Detectives also located a large, radio-controlled model helicopter, jewelry, and sporting equipment.

Stolen painting recovered in Sacramento

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - Detectives from South Lake Tahoe Department (SLTPD) posing as potential buyers on Craigslist have uncovered a painting stolen from a gallery in the Heavenly Village.

On Saturday December 9, SLTPD received a report of a stolen painting from Pacific Crest Gallery. The painting, Three Bears Playing Golf, valued at $1195, was taken from the stores front sidewalk display by an unknown suspect.

14 arrested and one rescued during recent trafficking operation

The El Dorado County Sheriff's Department joined forces with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and El Dorado County District Attorney's Office in conducting "Victim Centered," to identify human trafficking victims and suspects.

They began the investigation by looking into escort/ dating sites on the internet and those ads coming from El Dorado Hills, Cameron Park and Placerville. The main purpose of the investigation was to identify the human trafficking victims who are being prostituted and to identify the suspects who are pimping and trafficking these victims in El Dorado County.

Bay area residents arrested in Stateline on burglary charges

8:00PM Update 12/18/17: After the trio's arrest, detectives from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department served a search warrant on a motel room at Motel 6 on Highway 50, locating a significant amount of stolen property that had recently been reported stolen in Douglas County. They also located numerous items that may have been stolen, but were not previously reported. .

Large butane extraction lab found in El Dorado County

El Dorado County Sheriff's detectives working on a narcotics investigation December 6 found a large scale, commercial style butane extraction lab at a residence in Camino, California.

Update on recovered bodies at Fallen Leaf Lake

The El Dorado County Sheriff's Department has issued a press release after South Tahoe Now broke the story on November 13 concerning the recovery of two bodies in Fallen Leaf Lake.

Here is an updated statement from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office:

Bruce’s Legacy, an underwater search and recovery team from Wisconsin, came to Fallen Leaf Lake to assist The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office with a deep water search for two missing people.

Two bodies retrieved from Fallen Leaf Lake

11-15-17 update can be found here: http://southtahoenow.com/story/11/15/2017/update-recovered-bodies-fallen-leaf-lake

Bruce's Legacy, the underwater search and recovery team from Wisconsin, was at Fallen Leaf Lake recently, searching the water for a missing person. What they found was more than expected when bodies of both a man and woman were recovered.

Murder-suicide ruled in weekend's homicide in Kings Beach

The shooting in Kings Beach on November 4 has been ruled a murder-suicide by the Placer County Sheriff's Office.

Their preliminary investigation has determined that 64-year-old Scott A. Kotter, manager of the Northwood Pines Motel in Kings Beach, shot and killed Isabelle C. Gallo, 34, a female tenant, before turning the gun on himself.

Washoe County Sheriffs asking for help in locating two teens

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for any information that will assist with locating two teenagers missing from Sun Valley since last Thursday.

Jakob Palmer, age 14, and his sister Alexis Palmer, age 12, were last seen in the area of Sun Valley Boulevard and Leon Drive at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 26, 2017. They may have been heading for the Stead area.

Sheriff’s Office detectives believe the siblings may not be in immediate danger but are asking for any information that will help return them home.

County law enforcement seeks public's help in solving cold case disappearance

Charles Thompson of Fair Play, California has been missing since 2015 and the El Dorado County Cold Case Take Force is asking for help from the public in solving the case.

Truckee men arrested on sex with minor charges

An ongoing investigation by the Placer County Sheriff's Office (PCSO), Tahoe Station and the PCSO Special Operations detectives has led two the arrest of two Truckee men on suspicious of having unlawful sexual relations with minors under the age of 16.

Christopher Anthony Renai, 23, was arrested on October 5 near his job in Truckee, and Skyler William Ford, 21, was arrested at his home October 16.

Both remain in custody at the Placer County Jail; Renai's bail is set at $100,000 and Ford's is set at $305,000.

Their next court dates are both set for November 8.

Woman dies in El Dorado County shooting; apparent murder-suicide attempt

A 28-year-old woman is dead and her fiance has been hospitalized after a shooting in Shingle Springs Wednesday evening.

On October 4, 2017 at approximately 5:47 p.m., deputies from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) responded to multiple reports of a shooting near the intersection of Mother Lode Drive and Sunset Lane.

They discovered two people shot at the scene. One of them, Bay Area resident Jessica Lyn Ball, was pronounced dead at the scene. A male, who was later determined to be her fiance, suffered a single gunshot would and was transported to a local hospital.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

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:

9/13

3:34 a.m. - Assault with a deadly weapon - Sierra Blvd - DEPUTIES ASSISTED SOUTH LAKE TAHOE POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH A SHOOTING IN THE AREA. 57-YEAR-OLD MALE ARRESTED.

Thieves steal over $110K in construction materials in Washoe County

Suspects are being sought after two construction sites in Washoe County lost over $110,000 in materials during late night burglaries this week.

Detectives from the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office are currently investigating two large commercial burglaries that took place between Wednesday night and Friday morning at construction sites in different parts of the county.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

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

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