Tahoe man arrested for allegedly threatening roommate with a shotgun, holding him at gunpoint

A South Lake Tahoe man was arrested after allegedly threatening his roommate with a shotgun after he was caught stealing from him.

Robert Choate Jr., 34, was arrested Wednesday at a local hotel and now faces assault charges, according to the South Lake Tahoe Police Department.

The arrest stemmed from a report on Monday of a disturbance involving a shotgun at a home in the 3700 block of Aspen Avenue.

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The victim reported the incident at the police department as the officers were responding and searching the area near the home.

Authorities learned that Choate and the victim were roommates. When the roommate learned Choate was stealing from him, he began the process of kicking him out.

During a fight between the two men, Choate pulled out a shotgun and pointed it at the victim, authorities said. The two wrestled for the shotgun, which then discharged.

The roommate was able to grab the gun from Choate and took it to the police station and reported the incident.

Investigators later learned that choate was staying at a hotel near Stateline. They believed he was armed with other firearms, and so set up surveillance on the hotel. They then waited for choate to leave his room.

He was later taken into custody without incident, police said.