Sonoma police news: Man suspected of grand theft arrested

Valley law enforcement reports|

A South Lake Tahoe man is sitting in county jail on $15,000 bail after being discovered with stolen property including keys to 16 different vehicles.

On Saturday, March 17, Sonoma police received a call about a subject who stole a key from a vehicle on First Street East near the Little League fields.

Later that afternoon, police received a call from a store on First Street West who watched the same subject, walk out of the store and over to a parked motorcycle where he reportedly rifled through the saddlebags before walking over to the bus stop on the Plaza.

When police showed up, the man took off running toward First Street East. After a foot chase, the man was found by the Bank of America, but he didn’t have any of the stolen goods on him. Police went back to the bus stop where they discovered numerous items in the bushes next to the bus stop.

Among the items police found were an iPhone X, two pairs of glasses, and some motorcycle gloves – value $2,150. All were returned to the motorcycle owner.

Police also found 16 different vehicle keys on the man.

Police arrested Michael Lindauer, 34, of South Lake Tahoe, on charges of felony grand theft, giving false ID to a peace officer, possession of stolen property and shoplifting. He was transported to county jail where he was still residing as of Monday.

In other incidents reported to Valley law enforcement:

Wednesday, March 7

11:01 a.m. – A motorist who parked in the 400 block of East Napa Street – but left the pickup unlocked and the keys in the ignition – came back a half-hour later only to find someone had taken his ride. The vehicle was later recovered.

6:39 p.m. – While on patrol on Fourth Street East near East Napa Street, a deputy saw a motorist blow through a stop sign. After stopping the vehicle, the deputy could smell alcohol, and since the driver was on probation for DUI, he was mandated to provide a breath test. A preliminary alcohol screening, PAS, revealed a .21. Deputies arrested Steven Bowers, 32, of Sonoma, on charges of driving under the influence and transported him to jail.

Thursday, March 8

4:33 p.m. – A resident in the 200 block of West MacArthur reported she had been scammed by a fraudulent online computer repair to the tune of $5,000.

4:58 p.m. – While on patrol in the 200 block of Andrieux Street. a deputy saw a number of people he knew were on probation outside one residence. After sorting things out, the deputy cited a 27-year-old Sonoma man on charges of possession of stolen property, a probation violation and possession of drug paraphernalia; cited a 36-year-old male on charges of obstructing or resisting and a probation violation; and arrested Luis Garcia, 26, of Sonoma, on a felony bench warrant and a misdemeanor bench warrant, and transported him to jail.

10:22 p.m. – During a probation search at a residence in the 18000 block of Highway 12, deputies – and Dickie the K9 – searched the residence. Dickie alerted on a drawer in a desk, and when deputies opened it, they found a container containing approximately 24 grams of methamphetamine, along with digital scales, payout sheets, small plastic bags, numerous pills, pipes and cash. Deputies arrested David Carpenter, 57, of Sonoma, on charges of felony possession of a controlled substance for sale, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony possession of an illegal explosive and a probation violation. He was transported to county jail.

Friday, March 9

4:29 p.m. – A cherry fruit stand on Arnold Drive reported four metal signs had been stolen. They vanished sometime overnight. The value was $8,500.

Sunday, March 11

7 p.m. – A 16-year-old male residing in the 100 block of West Agua Caliente Road was charged with felony continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, felony lewd and lascivious behavior with a child under 14 with force, and felony lewd and lascivious behavior with a child under 14. The juvenile was turned over to the sheriff’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Unit.

Monday, March 12

4:40 p.m. – A 43-year-old Sonoma man reportedly rammed his truck through some gates at a property in the 1200 block of Felder Road, causing extensive damage to the $20,000 gates. The man returned to the residence numerous times but reportedly made no threats to his ex-companion. Deputies finally located Justin Davis, 43, of Sonoma, and charged him with felony vandalism and felony stalking and transported him to jail.

Tuesday, March 13

2:44 a.m.- While on patrol in the area of Fifth Street West and West Napa Street, a deputy ran a plate check on a car parked in the Safeway parking lot. It came back as stolen out of Forestville. The deputy watched the vehicle, and about 30 minutes later, a female came back to the car and drove off. The deputy make a high-risk stop on Fifth Street West and Leveroni and arrested Kimberly Davis, 46, of Sonoma, on charges of felony possession of a stolen vehicle and a probation violation. She was transported to jail.

Wednesday, March 14

2 p.m. – After a traffic accident on Second Street West and West Spain Street, a deputy noticed an odor of alcohol from a driver. The motorist didn’t do well on his field sobriety tests, blew a .179 and a .181 on a PAS, and later at the police station, blew a .14 and .15 on a breath test. Andrew Barrachi, 64, of Sonoma, was arrested on charges of driving under the influence.

Saturday, March 17

1:34 a.m. – Police responded to the Jack in the Box on West Napa Street for a report of a male passed out in his vehicle in the drive-through lane. The motorist fared poorly on the field sobriety test, and blew a .153 on the PAS. During a breath test, the man blew a .14 and a .14. Police cited James McKale, 21, of Sonoma, for driving under the influence and released him to a family member.

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