TRUCK AND ATV RECOVERED

A 26-year-old transient — Tracy Beth Lindberg — has been arrested for the theft of two vehicles and being in possession of stolen property. The vehicles were recovered in Baldwin Lake. (File Photo)

By Michael P. Neufeld

Baldwin Lake, CA – Big Bear Sheriff’s Station deputies responded to a call of a stolen vehicle found in the driveway of a residence in the 1300 block of Madrona Lane in Baldwin Lake at about 2:15 p.m. on Thursday, May 9.

The Sheriff’s dispatcher was told by the reporting party that, when they arrived home, they found an unoccupied white truck in their driveway. The truck raised concerns that someone may be on their property.  The reporting party indicated a female subject had been seen leaving the vehicle.  Shortly thereafter, information was received that a female matching the description of the subject was driving an ATV in the area of Baldwin Lake Road and Madrona Lane.

While deputies were responding to that call, a neighbor of the owner of the ATV recognized the vehicle that the subject was driving it and stopped female subject after a short struggle.  The neighbor was ultimately able to remove the key from the ATV and waited with the subject for deputies to arrive.  Deputies made contact with the subject, identified as Tracy Beth Lindberg, 26, according to a media advisory.

THE INVESTIGATION

During the investigation, Big Bear deputies determined that, after burglarizing a residence in Lucerne Valley, Lindberg had stolen the truck in Lucerne Valley and driven it to Big Bear.  Lindberg allegedly abandoned the truck at the residence in Baldwin Lake and stole the ATV from a neighboring property. Lindberg had also taken items from another unlocked vehicle, a garage, and a residence at separate locations in the same vicinity of Baldwin Lake.

Officers recovered stolen property, including a laptop computer and other items, as well as the truck and ATV.  Detectives of the Lucerne Valley Sheriff’s Station are now reviewing reports of other burglaries in that area, and have identified Lindberg as the suspect of numerous crimes in the desert area.

THE BOOKING

Lindberg — identified by investigators as a transient — was booked into the Big Bear jail on felony charges of burglary and grand theft auto.  Lindberg remains in custody on the felony charges in lieu of $50,000 bail.  An arraignment hearing in this matter is set for May 13 in San Bernardino County Superior Court.

Lindberg was also booked on a charge for an outstanding warrant for not appearing at a scheduled court hearing on April 15 relating to a previous arrest for being under the influence of a controlled substance.  Bail on the misdemeanor warrant is set at $25,000. (212)