21-year-old woman accused of stealing car

A 21-year-old transient was arrested Wednesday night on auto theft charges.

South Lake Tahoe police officers on Sept. 16 stopped Tarra Sheffield driving a 1991 Honda Accord that had been reported missing last weekend.

Tarra Sheffield

This was one of four vehicles that had been reported stolen between Sept. 11 and Sept. 12. In every case, the ignition keys had been left in the vehicle. The other three vehicles have been recovered with no identified suspect.

Officers said when they searched the Honda they found methamphetamine, heroin and drug paraphernalia. Scheffield also faces methamphetamine, possession of heroin, and possession of drug paraphernalia charges.

“Until November of last year, each of the offenses for which Sheffield was arrested last night constituted a felony offense, punishable in state prison for four years in the case of auto theft,” Lt. Brian Williams said in a press release.

Local officers are blaming Proposition 47 for the 12 percent spike in property crimes this year.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report