Burglar and stick-up artist admits guilt

PALMER — Shayne Anslem, charged in a pair of serious felony cases for stealing guns and holding up the Big Lake Tesoro, pleaded guilty Tuesday to two of the crimes for which he stands accused.

Alaska State Troopers say he was one of three men who burglarized a home in Talkeetna in May in an attempt to steal multiple guns from inside. The men all scattered when the two people who owned the home returned.

The female homeowner chased Anselm down in the woods, where he gave himself up. Troopers tracked down the other two men and charged them along with Anselm.

As for the robbery, that happened in March, Anslem wasn’t fingered as the burglar and arrested until July. Anslem allegedly walked into the store wearing a bandana over his face and aviator sunglasses. He had trouble at first convincing the clerk he was serious about robbing her and made off with $170 in cash.

Assistant District Attorney Melissa Wininger-Howard said that on Tuesday, Anselm entered a guilty plea to burglary in the gun heist and robbery in the Tesoro stick-up. He is due to receive a sentence in January 2014.

As for the two men charged with him in the heist, Matthew Lundy, 23, is currently wanted on a warrant for failing to appear at his last hearing and Jourdan Avila, 21, is set to change his plea today.

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