Man who engaged police in shootout identified as suspect in Carson City robbery
Authorities have identified a man who was shot and killed by police Monday as the suspect in a Carson City robbery.
The Carson City Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday that it believes Billy Jo Johnson, 34, was behind an Oct. 22 armed robbery at Fruitilandia yogurt shop in Carson City.
The car used in the yogurt shop robbery was reported stolen in South Lake Tahoe.
At the time of the robbery, Johnson had an active arrest warrant from Douglas County for burglary and home invasion, according to the Carson City Sheriff’s Office. Investigators submitted a warrant request to the Carson City District Attorney’s Office for robbery with a deadly weapon and assault with a deadly weapon.
Carson City investigators teamed up with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and South Lake Tahoe Police Department to try and locate Johnson.
On Monday a South Lake Tahoe detective unit located Johnson near the Pickett’s Junction area. Johnson attempted to evade officers on his motorcycle, sparking a multi-county chase.
Law enforcement alleges Johnson shot at police in the process of trying to escape.
He was eventually shot and killed by a South Lake Tahoe officer on North Upper Truckee Road in the Meyers area.
The shooting remains under investigation, according to Sgt. Anthony Prencipe of the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office.
Prencipe said he did not know the identity of the officer or whether he/she is still on duty. It is standard to place a law enforcement officer on leave during such investigations, he added.
South Lake Tahoe Police Chief Brian Uhler has not returned several voicemails left by the Tribune.
Support Local Journalism
Support Local Journalism
Readers around the Lake Tahoe Basin and beyond make the Tahoe Tribune's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.
Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.
Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.
