INCLINE VILLAGE - About $10,000 has been stolen from boating fee collection boxes in recent weeks at two Nevada state parks, prompting officials to keep a more watchful eye around the lake.
Thieves broke into boxes at Sand Harbor State Park and Cave Rock on Tahoe's East Shore three times, said Lake Tahoe Nevada State Parks Supervisor Jay Howard.
The most recent theft occurred the night of July 5 at Sand Harbor, and was discovered Monday, July 6, according to a Washoe County Sheriff's Office report. A previous theft occurred at Cave Rock Saturday, July 4, those two accounting for the bulk of the missing $10,000, Howard said, with an incident about three weeks ago at Sand Harbor where thieves stole $200.
"We're pretty bummed out about the break-ins because that money goes to keeping the invasive mussels out of Lake Tahoe," Howard said. "That money goes to the inspector's salaries, and if we can't have inspectors, we can't keep our boat launches open."
According to the WCSO report, the steel drop box at Sand Harbor was smashed.
Douglas County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Jim Halsey said the padlock on the Cave Rock box was cut. He said the case isn't being investigated due to a lack of leads, but Douglas County deputies patrol the area more frequently now. A $500 reward is available for any tips leading to the successful prosecution of a suspect, Halsey said.
The boat launch fees can range from $10-$40, depending on the size of the boat. Those fees are turned over to the Tahoe Resource Conservation District, which pays for inspectors to check boats for invasive species.