Two arrested for suspected burglary after neighbors notice suspicious car in recently-deceased homeowner’s driveway

A suspicious vehicle at a deceased man’s home led to two arrests for investigation into burglary. 

On Saturday (March 28) at around 10:51 a.m, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of suspicious circumstances at a home in the 72300 block of Sunnyslope Drive in Twentynine Palms. A neighbor who says that the home’s owner had recently died noticed a suspicious car in the driveway and called the Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies arrived and contacted two people associated with the vehicle. Deputies say that Donna Ohlinger, a 47 year-old resident of Fontana, had an active warrant for forgery and charges related to identity theft. Deputies say that Scott Lapresle, a 62 year-old resident of Twentynine Palms, was in possession of property taken from inside the home. Both Lapresle and Ohlinger were taken into custody. Deputies are still investigating the method of entry into the home. 

Lapresle is out on bail and facing active felony charges for allegedly burglarizing a home in Wonder Valley in 2024.

Donna Ohlinger was arrested on suspicion of burglary and her active felony warrants. She is being held at the West Valley Detention Center on $310,000 bail. Scott Lapresle was arrested on suspicion of burglary and possession of a controlled substance. He has been released on bail.