Police departments team in arrest of Lakeport man who stole car, credit cards
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Teamwork between the county’s two police departments led to the arrest of a Lakeport man who had been released a day earlier from the Lake County Jail.
The Clearlake Police Department said it arrested Austin Anthony Schweitzer, 28, on Feb. 17 for possession of a large quantity of suspected methamphetamine and for being under the influence of narcotics. He was booked into the Lake County Jail but soon released.
On Feb. 18, after Schweitzer’s release from custody, police said he is believed to have stolen a vehicle that was left running to warm up in Lakeport. The vehicle contained several credit cards in the vehicle owner’s name.
Police said Schweitzer then drove the vehicle to Clearlake and parked it. He attempted to use the stolen victim’s credit cards at a gas station but was unsuccessful.
Lakeport Police officers learned of the credit card usage and alerted Clearlake Police officers of the situation, according to the report.
Police said the vehicle was quickly located near the gas station by a community service officer along with evidence linking Schweitzer to the vehicle. The vehicle was returned to the owner.
A short time later, police said Schweitzer returned to the gas station where an employee spotted him, but now associated with another vehicle, and notified police.
An alert Clearlake Police officer spotted the vehicle at Walmart and Schweitzer was taken into custody without incident, authorities said.
Police said Schweitzer was found to be in possession of the stolen credit cards, the stolen vehicle’s keys and other property from the stolen vehicle.
He was transported and booked back into the Lake County Jail, where he remains in custody on misdemeanors related to the credit card theft, and felonies for taking the vehicle, being in possession of a stolen vehicle and first-degree burglary.
“We are grateful for the collaboration between the agencies and the community that resulted in the return of the vehicle and apprehension of the suspect,” the Clearlake Police Department said.