Authorities in Lake Tahoe are searching for a suspected burglar whose alleged break-in came with an unusual clue: a wallet left behind inside the home.
According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the homeowner returned on June 5 after a three-week vacation and discovered that someone had broken into the residence. Inside, investigators found a wallet and a Visa debit card issued to Clarence Zillman. The homeowner also reported that items had been moved around and that his birth certificate was missing.
Deputies said the property appeared to have been “unlawfully occupied” while the owner was away.
The investigation later led authorities to surveillance footage from a nearby Safeway, where a suspected squatter was allegedly seen leaving the store wearing clothing taken from the homeowner.
The video, captured at the Safeway in the Round Hill Shopping Center in Zephyr Cove on Lake Tahoe’s south shore, shows the man walking out of the store dressed in the homeowner’s clothing, officials said.
Investigators said they traced the lead to Safeway after finding a receipt at the home for two packs of Camel cigarettes. Authorities believe the receipt is connected to the man seen in the surveillance footage.
A shirt belonging to the homeowner has been recovered, but his hat is still missing, according to the sheriff’s office.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in Nevada is now asking the public for help identifying the man, who is considered a person of interest in the case.
The investigation remains ongoing as of July 9.
The DCSO urges anyone with information to contact Investigator JT Davis at the Stateline Office at 775-586-7253.
