Big Lake man arrested after smashing tour bus windshield with pliers

WASILLA — A Big Lake man wielding a pair of pliers was arrested after smashing the windshield of a tour bus in Willow early Friday evening, Alaska State troopers say.

According to an AST dispatch published late Friday evening, a trooper chased down Chad Risinger in a nearby wooded area after the 38-year-old climbed onto a tour bus and broke its windshield with the pliers. Troopers say they responded to multiple reports that Risinger was seen tossing items at cars on the Parks Highway. Troopers found Risinger at Mile 77 of the Parks, which is near the Willow Creek bridge. The tour bus stopped during Risinger’s antics, troopers said, and after he was approached by authorities, Risinger ran.

Once he was apprehended, Risinger was found to be in possession of a controlled substance, troopers said. He was arrested and charged with assault in the third degree, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and misconduct involving a controlled substance.

As of Saturday night, Risinger was in custody according to an online database.