13 years for robber, car thief

PALMER — A liquor store hold-up, a stolen Suburban and a car chase through Wasilla last summer added up to 13 years in prison for a local man Friday.

Assistant Attorney General Clint Campion told the court that Edward Hoeger, 30, robbed the Half Rack Liquor store at Wasilla-Fishhook Road and Seldon Road at gunpoint. Later, on June 24, 2011, on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway, two women were loading up a Suburban with materials from a summer Bible school program. Hoeger appeared in the back seat and told one of the women to back away from the Suburban. Hoeger took off in the SUV.

Two hours later, Alaska State Troopers picked up his trail as he drove on the Parks Highway west of Wasilla. A lengthy pursuit ensued, and Wasilla police joined troopers. Finally, after popping tires with spike strips and a near-miss with a trooper car while turning around in a cul-de-sac, Hoeger got out on Hollywood Road and ran. He didn’t get far before a Palmer police officer stationed with the troopers caught him.

Hoeger perspired profusely during police interviews and told arresting officers he was a heroin addict and was going through withdrawals.

Campion said that, to reform, Hoeger will first have to kick heroin. Campion didn’t have any proof, but had been told that hadn’t been going well; that Hoeger had been seeking drugs while incarcerated.

“He seems like a smart guy,” Campion said. But, “Apparently drugs are the problem for him.”

Still, Campion said, he saw reasons for hope.

“He’s put on at least 30 pounds since he was arrested last June,” Campion said. “It really is my hope for the community that he gets off drugs.”

Hoeger’s criminal case ended with a plea bargain. He pleaded guilty to second-degree robbery of the liquor store and vehicle theft for taking the Suburban. The plea agreement calls for three years on the theft added to 10 for the robbery.

Superior Court Judge Greg Heath joined Campion in hoping Hoeger kicks drugs, but ended Friday’s hearing with a dire warning. The robbery constituted Hoeger’s third felony conviction. A fourth would not go well for him.

“If you commit another crime, you’ll probably be for the rest of your days incarcerated,” Heath told Hoeger.

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.