Attempts to flee troopers end in arrests

WASILLA — A trio of local residents found out the hard way this past weekend that attempting to run from law enforcement rarely ends well.

Starting Friday, Alaska State Troopers used a police dog named Roelle to help track down 25-year-old Zachary S. Mckenna-Johnston of Sutton. Mckenna-Johnston was found at a store after he allegedly attempted to elude troopers following a report every dangerous driver immediately (REDDI) notice in Sutton. When troopers attempted to stop his vehicle, Mckenna-Johnston led them on a one-mile chase before driving off the roadway on Granite Avenue and fleeing on foot, the AST reports.

Roelle was called in and a short time later, Mckenna-Johnston was located at a store, where it was discovered he also was operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol and driving while his license was revoked. He was transported to Mat-Su Pretrial Facility and held on $5,000 cash-only bail.

Alcohol was also a factor in another incident in the early morning hours Saturday, AST reports. When troopers attempted to stop a vehicle on Bogard Road for a traffic violation at 12:12 a.m., the vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit ensued. When it was finally stopped, the driver, eventually identified as Vadim Pilipaka, 18, of Wasilla, gave troopers a false name. It was also determined he was driving under the influence of alcohol and with a revoked license. In addition, Pilipaka was also already subject to conditions of release from a prior DUI arrest. He was arrested and held on $5,000 bail.

Another Sutton resident attempted to elude troopers after they tried to conduct a traffic stop Sunday. According to an AST report, 18-year-old Shay Ragsdale was arrested after running from the law on a dirt bike near Mile 65 of the Glenn Highway at 6:29 p.m. He initially got away on the bike, but was apprehended a short time later.

Upon further investigation of the incident, troopers also found Ragsdale allegedly attempted to hide evidence while running. He was charged with eluding and tampering with physical evidence, and held at Mat-Su Pretrial Facility on $1,000 bail.