South Lake Tahoe, CA  – On June 3rd, 2014, officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to 911 calls indicating a male was breaking into a residence on Bonanza Avenue. Upon arrival police gave chase to the suspect, who was carrying bags of stolen items from the residence. The suspect was chased through yards and over a fence to the meadow near D Street and Highway 50, where he attempted to pull a gun from his waistband. The suspect lost control of his gun, a semiautomatic pistol with a high capacity magazine loaded with 9mm ammunition, and was apprehended without any shots fired. Unfortunately, one police officer was hurt during the event and was taken to the emergency department.

The identity of the suspect is currently being investigated, as he provided false information to police upon his arrest. It was also learned that the house which was burglarized was an unauthorized marijuana grow house, underscoring the connection between illegal marijuana cultivation and violent crime. The suspect is being held on charges of illegal possession of a firearm, armed burglary and robbery. The house which was burglarized was eradicated with the help of the SLEDNET task force.

Anyone having information about this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Carlquist at (530) 542-6133.