Armed robbers strike homes

MAT-SU -- At 10:30 p.m. last Wednesday, the Alaska State Troopers received a call that two men had robbed a Wasilla area man at gunpoint in his home.

According to Trooper Investigator Odean Hall, the victim told troopers that two white men, described as being in their early 20s and wearing hooded sweatshirts, knocked on the door of his house on Pittman Road near Wasilla. When he opened the door, the intruders reportedly pushed the man to the floor and threatened him with a silver-colored .22-caliber semiautomatic handgun.

Although they did not fire the gun or injure the homeowner, the robbers reportedly stole about $1,700 in cash as well as an unstated amount of prescription drugs that included valium and the painkiller oxycodone. Hall said investigators at the scene retrieved a shoeprint as well as other pieces of evidence that could potentially help identify the suspects' vehicle.

Only three days later troopers received a report of a similar robbery in the Palmer area.

At 9 p.m. on Sunday, troopers answered a call that another man was robbed at gunpoint in his home on Palmer Fishhook Road by two men who wanted money and drugs.

The victim reportedly told troopers that two men brandishing a silver-colored semiautomatic handgun with a brown grip forced their way into his home. Hall said the men are alleged to have stolen prescription drugs, including the painkiller oxycontin, an unspecified amount of money, and a gun.

According to Trooper Sergeant Mark Riddling, the primary suspect in the Palmer area robbery was described as a white man in his mid 20s with blonde hair and a goatee. The second suspect was allegedly a white teen appearing to be 16 or 17 years of age.

Riddling confirmed that troopers and police are on the lookout for a burgundy-colored pickup truck which may or may not be associated with the Palmer area robbery. The truck is reported as having running lights on top and a silver bar or stripe in the tailgate area.

Hall said three state troopers immediately cordoned off the roads around the scene of the crime but were unable to locate the suspects.

"We are investigating the robberies as separate crimes," Hall said on Wednesday. Hall added that in spite of the similarities between the incidents, investigators have not established a link between them.