From the blotter: Man dies in ATV accident

WASILLA — A 46-year-old man rolled his ATV and died Wednesday, Alaska State Troopers said.

According to a trooper press statement, Richard Minars, of Wasilla, wasn’t wearing a helmet when he lost control and rolled his ATV on Swan Drive. Troopers were called to the scene at 10:10 p.m.

Minars was pronounced dead at the scene.

DUI is the least

of his problems

WASILLA — An Anchorage man is facing a litany of charges after Alaska State Troopers say he was caught driving drunk in a stolen car loaded up with loot from a burglary.

According to a trooper press statement, at 8:40 p.m. Aug. 27 they pulled the 1999 Chevrolet Blazer over at Parks Highway and Lamont Way. The Blazer had recently been reported stolen, they said.

The driver turned out to be Duane A. Braun, 26, of Anchorage, and troopers say the loot came from a home off Swan Drive.

The stolen items added up to about $6,500 in value. Troopers say Braun also did $1,500 damage to the Blazer before he was arrested.

Braun also had a warrant out for his arrest for violating probation on a theft charge. Troopers say he was arrested on the warrant and also on charges of theft, vehicle theft, criminal mischief and drunken driving.

He was jailed at the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility on $11,500 bail and will need to find someone to watch over him before he can be released. Jail records Thursday afternoon showed he was still incarcerated.

Woman dragged

after fight for purse

WASILLA — Police are investigating a botched robbery that apparently ended with a woman being dragged an run over by a car at a local car wash.

According to a Wasilla Police Department press release, at 11:23 p.m. Aug. 27, they were called to Mudbusters on Knik-Goose Bay Road.

Police said a 46-year-old Wasilla woman told them a vehicle pulled up and the driver tried to steal her purse. A struggle ensued and the woman was dragged and run over by the car the man arrived in. The woman was treated at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.

Wasilla Police Department Deputy Chief Greg Wood said Thursday that the woman has since been released.

“There’s a drug nexus,” he said, and the woman knew her attacker.