Suspect in possible South Lake Tahoe stabbing arrested in San Bernardino County
Authorities arrested the man they believe to be the sole suspect in an assault and robbery that left a South Lake Tahoe man tied-up and injured.
Alberto Ochoa, a 30-year-old South Lake Tahoe resident, was arrested in Rancho Cucamonga, California by officials with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office. Ochoa, according to the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, is believed to have bound, gagged and assaulted a 43-year-old South Lake Tahoe resident before stealing his 2000 Subaru Legacy.
The victim was discovered Wednesday when a concerned coworker arrived at his residence to check on the man. Officers arrived at the apartment in the in the 3600 block of Spruce Avenue and found “a significant amount” of blood. Investigators believe the victim was tied-up for at least 20 hours before he was discovered.
The case was initially reported as a possible stabbing, however, South Lake Tahoe officers have not commented on the nature or extent of the injuries, other than confirming he was injured and transported to Barton Memorial Hospital.
He was still hospitalized and listed in stable condition as of Friday afternoon.
According to a press release from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, detectives worked through the night Wednesday and into Thursday, with assistance from the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office and El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, to identify the suspect and locate the stolen vehicle.
Investigators on Thursday identified Ochoa as the suspect and secured a warrant from the El Dorado Superior Court for charges of robbery, kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon, according to the press release.
San Bernardino County law enforcement officials were able to conduct a traffic stop and arrest Ochoa, the driver and sole occupant of the stolen vehicle. He is currently in San Bernardino jail on $1-million bail. South Lake Tahoe detectives were in San Bernardino County Friday interviewing Ochoa. Police believe he acted alone.
Further information was not made available, and the investigation is ongoing.
The South Lake Tahoe Police Department is asking anyone with information related to this case to call the detective division at 530-542-6100.
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