Incline Village burglary suspect nabbed with help from alert residents

A man whom authorities believe has been responsible for the majority of burglary cases in Incline Village was arrested last week after several residents spotted him around town.

Jared D. McWhirter, 18, was wanted on suspicion of conspiracy to escape, fugitive from Placer County, grand larceny and petty larceny and two counts of burglary, authorities said.

After McWhirter's photo appeared in the Jan. 9 issue of the North Lake Tahoe Bonanza, several people called the Washoe County Sheriff's Office Incline Village Substation with reports of his whereabouts, said Cmdr. Gregg Lubbe.

"He was caught (the following) Tuesday night," Lubbe said.

McWhirter struggled with a deputy while attempting to escape outside of the substation as he was being taken into custody, according to Lubbe. Both the suspect and the deputy incurred minor injuries as a result.

McWhirter is believed to have played a role in the majority of the burglary cases throughout Incline Village in the past couple of years, Lubbe said.

"He would borrow or steal clothing so he looked like he fit in (at various workplaces). Then he would steal purses, snowboards, room keys, whatever," he said.

Lubbe said McWhirter, an Incline Village resident, has been burglarizing for years, but has yet to admit to anything.

"At 18, he's a veteran," Lubbe said. "It's how he makes a living."

He was booked into the Washoe County Jail in Reno, with no bail. After being adjudicated in Washoe County, he will be returned to Placer County authorities, where he is a fugitive wanted on a $10,000 warrant on a narcotics charge.