South Lake Tahoe, Calif. (Jan 31, 2025) – On the morning of January 31, 2025, a vehicle theft in South Lake Tahoe led to the arrest of a Culver City woman and a brief lockdown at South Tahoe Middle School.
At approximately 9:28 a.m., the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) received a report of a stolen vehicle from the 2800 block of Lodi Avenue. Within 20 minutes, a plainclothes detective located the unoccupied stolen vehicle in the parking lot of South Tahoe Middle School. As a precaution, the school was placed on lockdown while officers ensured the suspect was not on campus. The lockdown was lifted after about 10 minutes when it was confirmed the suspect had fled the area.
Shortly thereafter, officers apprehended a woman nearby who matched the suspect’s description from video surveillance. The individual was uncooperative and appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance. Initially providing multiple false names and birthdates, she was later identified as 29-year-old Yolanda Benson of Culver City, California. Benson was on Los Angeles County probation for vehicle theft and had a no-bail felony warrant for probation violation.
Benson was arrested and booked into the El Dorado County Jail on charges of vehicle theft (10851 VC), resisting arrest (148 PC), and the outstanding probation violation warrant. The stolen vehicle was processed for evidence and returned to its owner.
The swift response by SLTPD ensured the safety of the school community and led to the prompt apprehension of the suspect.
BENSON, YOLANDA FRANCES
Age: 29
Sex: Female
Race: Black or African American
Height: 5′ 6″
Weight: 120
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Build: Average
Complexion: Medium
Booking Date: 01/31/2025 10:57
Arresting Agency: SLTPD
Arrest Date: 01/31/2025
Arrest Location:
TROUT CREEK AT LAKE TAHOE BLVD
Charges
1 count of 10851(A) VC- Take vehicle w/o owners consent/vehicle theft – Stolen property (F) [Felony] Bail: $25000
1 count of 148(A)(1) PC- Obstruct/resist/etc public/peace officer/emergency med tech (M) [Misdemeanor] Bail: $3000
1 count of 3455(B)(1) PC- Prcs violation (F) [Felony] Bail: $0
Total Bail: $28000
