ALASKA STATE TROOPERS

WARRANT ARREST

Feb. 27, 8:11 p.m.: Troopers arrested Arnold Link, 52, of Wasilla on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on an original charge of driving under the influence. Link was contacted while investigating a 911 call and was remanded to Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility with no bail. Feb. 29, 12:08 a.m.: Troopers responded to Mile 50.2 of the Parks Highway for a reported domestic disturbance. Teresa Espinoza, 35, of Kenai allegedly assaulted a family member while at a residence at Mile 50.2 Parks Highway and also had an outstanding no-bail arrest warrant on the original charge of concealment of merchandise. Espinoza was arrested for assault IV, domestic violence, and for the no-bail warrant. Espinoza was booked at the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility on no bail.

Feb. 29, 1145 p.m.: Troopers contacted 26-year-old Justin L. Radford of Wasilla near Mile 48.5 of the Parks Highway during a traffic contact. Radford had one outstanding warrant for his arrest in the amount of $1,000 for driving while his license is suspended. Radford was arrested at the scene and transported to Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility where he was held on the cash-only bail.

March 2, 2:52 p.m.: Troopers contacted James Anderson, 40, of Palmer at residence on Teresa Drive. Anderson had two arrest warrants for the original charges of driving while his license is suspended and driving under the influence. Anderson was arrested and transported to Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility were he was held on a bail of $500 and on a no-bail warrant to serve time.

THEFT / BURGLARY

 Feb. 27, 6 p.m.: A 55-year-old Wasilla man reported to troopers that approximately $50 in cash along with several credit cards and a cellular telephone had been stolen from inside his locker at the AT&T Sports Center in Wasilla sometime between 4 and 6 p.m. The case is under investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the troopers at 745-2131 or the Crime Stoppers at 745-3333.

Feb. 28, 12:03 a.m.: Troopers responded to a burglary in the area of Tamar Street in Wasilla. Investigation revealed approximately $1,200 cash was stolen from the residence. The case is under investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the troopers at 745-2131 or Crime Stoppers at 745-3333.

March 1, 11:54 a.m.: Troopers received a report of a burglary and theft from a residence on North Talgach View Drive in Wasilla. Investigation revealed jewelry was taken from the residence. This case is under investigation and anyone with information is encouraged to call the troopers at 373-8300 or Crime Stoppers at 745-3333.

MVC

Feb. 27, 11 a.m.: Troopers responded to a single vehicle collision on Trunk Road near Cottrell Campus Drive. Michael D. Botelho, 21, of Palmer was traveling southbound on Trunk Road in a 1980 Dodge Aspen when he swerved to miss a moose, ran off the road and hit a tree. Botelho was wearing his seatbelt and reported no injuries. Botelho’s passenger, Devin C. Donn, 22, of Palmer, was not wearing his seatbelt and was transported to Mat-Su Regional for possible head and neck injuries. Donn was cited for not wearing his seatbelt. Vehicle had minor damage and was driven from the scene.

Feb. 29, 10:45 p.m.: Troopers witnessed a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of the Parks Highway and Pittman Road in Wasilla. A17-year-old male of Wasilla failed to stop for a steady red light while traveling southbound on Pittman Road in a maroon 1998 Subaru Legacy station wagon. The teen’s vehicle then collided with the passenger side of a maroon 2001 Ford Expedition traveling northbound along the Parks Highway, driven by 25-year-old Joshua M. Williams of Big Lake. The teen was issued one summons for reckless driving and released at the scene. No injuries were sustained and all vehicle occupants reported wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision. Damages are estimated at $1,500 for the Subaru and $3,000 for the Expedition, and both vehicles were driven from the scene.

March 1, 1:06 p.m.: Troopers responded to Trunk Road near Woodworth Loop in Palmer for the report of a collision. Candace D. Hasse, 36, of Wasilla was traveling south on Trunk Road in a 2005 Jeep Liberty when she drove off the road, hit a sign and rolled her vehicle down the side of a hill. Hasse reported wearing her seatbelt and was transported by private vehicle to Mat-Su Regional Hospital for medical evaluation. Hasse’s Jeep was considered totaled. Damage to the sign was estimated at $250 and the Department of Transportation was notified. No citations were issued.   

March 1, 4:04 p.m.: Troopers responded to a three-vehicle collision on Palmer-Wasilla Highway and Shennum Drive in Wasilla. Deanna Burris, 40, of Wasilla was driving a 1998 Chevy Astro van and was stopped in the westbound lane on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway waiting to make a left turn onto Shennum Drive. Alfred D. Letendre, 60, of Wasilla was driving a 2003 Dodge pickup and was traveling westbound when he struck the rear of Burris’ vehicle. Burris’ vehicle then collided with Sharon Mears, 69, of Palmer who was driving a 2001 Subaru station wagon eastbound on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway. EMS transported one individual to Mat-Su Regional Hospital for minor injuries.  Two of the three vehicles were totaled. All reported wearing seatbelts and Letendre was issued a citation for failure to exercise due care to avoid a collision.

March 1, 11:21 a.m.: Troopers responded to a report of a vehicle rollover at mile 54.5 of the Parks Highway. Timothy West, 47, of Houston was traveling southbound on the Parks Highway when he tried to pass a vehicle and lost control. West’s vehicle went into the southbound ditch and rolled over on to its top. West and his passengers reported wearing their seatbelts. Damage to the vehicle was reported as minimal. West was issued a citation for basic speed.  

March 2, 1:35 p.m.: Troopers responded to a three-vehicle collision at approximately Mile 45.5 of the Parks Highway. Loriann Kirker, 34, of Wasilla was driving a white 2003 Cadillac Escalade when she attempted to make a left-hand turn onto the Parks Highway from the access road. The Escalade collided with a purple 1999 Plymouth Voyager traveling westbound on the Parks Highway. That vehicle was operated by Lea Nighswonger, 53, of Wasilla and occupied by three other passengers. Subsequently, the Voyager spun around and into oncoming traffic and collided with a blue 2008 Dodge Avenger, occupied by two passengers and operated by Todd Lappas, 44, of Missouri. The driver and two passengers of the Voyager, and all occupants of the Avenger were transported to Mat-Su Regional by EMS where they were treated for non-life threatening injuries. All individuals involved reported wearing seatbelts at the time of the collision. Damage to the Escalade is estimated at $10,000 and the other two vehicles are estimated to be totaled. Kirker was issued a citation for failure to yield after stopping at a stop sign.

MICS

  Feb. 27, 10:46 a.m.: Troopers responded to Valley Pathway Schools located in Palmer for a report of a student in possession of marijuana. The 15-year-old student of Wasilla was released to his parent and a charge of misconduct involving a controlled substance IV has been forwarded to Juvenile Justice for prosecution.  

MIW

Feb. 27, 8:18 p.m.: Troopers in Palmer arrested Brian Barton, 47, of Wasilla for misconduct involving a weapon IV after he was contacted as a passenger allegedly armed with a handgun on his side and highly intoxicated. The vehicle was contacted as a REDDI vehicle at Mile 49 Parks Highway in Wasilla. Barton was subsequently transported and remanded at Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility and held on $1,000 cash bond.

DUI

 Feb. 28, 1:23 a.m.: Trooper South Central DUI Enforcement Team attempted to stop a 1982 GMC pickup near the intersection of Bogard and Tait in Wasilla for a moving violation. Dustin B. Proctor, 26, of Wasilla failed to stop the vehicle and instead led troopers and Wasilla police officers on a low-speed pursuit lasting 45 minutes, and ended at the Motherlode Lodge in Hatcher Pass after three of the vehicle’s tires were deflated by tire deflation devices. Proctor was arrested without further incident and remanded to the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility charged with felony driving under the influence, felony eluding, driving while his license is revoked, reckless driving and reckless endangerment. Proctor was held on a $7,500 cash-only bail.

March 1, 12:01 a.m.: The trooper South-Central DUI Enforcement Team contacted a 1991 Honda Civic that was occupied, not moving, and a road hazard near Mile 4 Knik-Goose Bay Road in Wasilla. Kimmeth Irwin, 37, of Wasilla was remanded into the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility where he was held on a driving under the influence charge and released to a sober adult.

March 1, 3:02 a.m.: The trooper South Central DUI Enforcement Team stopped a vehicle near the intersection of Lucille Street and Luther Street in Wasilla for a moving violation. Ingrid L. Herrera Moreno, 25, of Wasilla was arrested for driving under the influence. Herrera Moreno was remanded to the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility where she was held until released to a sober adult third party.

March 2, 1:46 a.m.: Troopers conducted a traffic stop on a 1992 Pontiac sedan for a license plate out and expired registration near Willow Station Road and Tuxedo Drive. Leonard Ethrington, 27, of Willow was allegedly intoxicated, and he has two prior driving under the influence convictions. Further investigation revealed his license was revoked, and he had a no-bail warrant for not reporting to jail for a previous driving while his license is revoked charge. Ethrington was remanded to Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility for felony driving under the influence, driving while his license is revoked, and the warrant with a bail of $5,000 cash only and a court-approved third party. Investigation is ongoing.

March 2, 2:50 a.m.: Troopers contacted a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer that went into the ditch near Willow Station Road and Tuxedo Drive. Alyson Sherman,47, of Willow was arrested for driving under the influence. Sherman was released on her own recognzance by the magistrate. Investigation is ongoing.

March 2, 1:04 a.m.: The trooper South-Central DUI Enforcement Team contacted a 1999 VW Eurovan that was running and occupied with a sleeping driver near the intersection of the Palmer-Wasilla Highway and Ranch Road in Palmer. Candace Bedwell, 39, of Wasilla was remanded into the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility where she was held on a driving under the influence charge. Bail was set at $200.

March 2, 1:49 a.m.: Troopers stopped a four wheeler riding on the road near Seldon Road and Vera Way in Wasilla. David Clemons, 23, of Wasilla was arrested for driving under the influence and remanded into the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility where bail was set at release to a sober third party.

March 1, 11:58 p.m.: The trooper South Central DUI Enforcement Team stopped a vehicle near Mile 13 of Knik-Goose Bay Road in Wasilla for an equipment violation. Dale D. Weeg, 52, of Wasilla was issued a summons to appear in the Palmer Court for driving while his license is suspended.

March 2, 4:48 a.m.: The trooper South Central DUI Enforcement Team stopped a vehicle near the intersection of Bogard Road and Armor Court in Wasilla for a moving violation. Clifford F. Stamps, 37, of Wasilla was remanded on a charge of driving under the influence to the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility where he was held until released to a sober adult third party.

March 2, 5:17 p.m.: The Talkeetna troopers stopped a 2002 Dodge Dakota at Mile 65 Parks Highway for a traffic violation. Gary Cox, 65, of Houston was arrested for driving under the influence and driving while his license in revoked and transported to Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility where he was remanded on $5,000 cash-only bail.

MCA

March 1, 1:20 a.m.: Troopers received a report of a large juvenile party that involved alcohol at the Knik River sand bar by the Knik River Bridge on the Old Glenn Highway. Troopers issued summons to 20-year-old Aren Voss of Anchorage, as well as a 17-year-old female from Peters Creek, a 17-year-old female from Eagle River,  a 17-year-old male from Anchorage and a 15-year-old female from Anchorage. All the juveniles were released to their parents.

March 1, 1:55 a.m.: Troopers stopped a blue and white 1992 GMC pickup truck near Mile 13.5 of the Old Glenn Highway for equipment violations. Colton S. Hintsala, 18, of Eagle River was was arrested and transported to Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility where he was held on a total of $300 bail for driving under the influence, minor operating a vehicle after consuming alcohol, and minor consuming alcohol. Two of the passengers, 18-year-old Kendra L. McAlpin of Chugiak and a 17-year-old male, also from Chugiak, were found to be intoxicated, and were each issued a summons for minor consuming alcohol and released to a sober third party at the scene.

March 1, 5:15 a.m.: Troopers stopped a 1992 red Toyota Corolla for a moving violation. John Colbry, 18, and Richard Simms, 19, both from Big Lake were issued summons for minor consuming alcohol and released at the scene.

DWLCSR

March 1, 2 a.m: The trooper South Central DUI Enforcement Team stopped a vehicle near the intersection of the Parks Highway and Pittman Road in Wasilla for an equipment violation. Shiloh J. LaBoucane, 32, of Wasilla was found to be operating the vehicle with a suspended driver license. LaBoucane was issued a summons to appear in the Palmer Court for driving while his license is suspended and released at the scene.

March 1, 3:13 p.m.: Troopers stopped a 2004 GMC Yukon for an equipment violation on Bogard Road near Trunk Road in Palmer. Teddy Kibby, 22, of Wasilla was driving without a valid driver license. A check in the Alaska Public Safety Information Network records confirmed Kibby’s license was revoked for a previous driving under the influence incident. Kibby was given a summons to appear in court and released at the scene. The vehicle was released to his passenger who had a valid license.