FROM THE BLOTTER: Woman faces DUI, vehicle theft counts

MAT-SU — A woman is in jail after Alaska State Troopers say they found her driving drunk in a stolen car on the Parks Highway on Sunday.

According to a press statement, at 3:45 a.m. troopers pulled over a black Eagle Talon at Parks Highway and Stanley Road for a moving violation.

The press release alleges that the driver, Nugaska Y. Babcock, 30, of Wasilla, was driving drunk.

“Investigation also revealed that Nugaska had just stolen the vehicle from a family member moments earlier,” troopers report.

Babcock was arrested on charges of vehicle theft, drunken driving and driving on a suspended license. She was jailed at the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility. Jail records Monday afternoon showed she was still there.

Wasilla man arrested on several charges

WASILLA — Police say they caught a burglar red-handed walking out of a house with multiple bags and backpacks Thursday.

According to a Wasilla Police Department press release, at 3:33 a.m. officers were called to a home on W. Cache Drive. When they got there, they noticed the front door had been forced open and they heard someone still inside.

“A male was seen walking out carrying multiple bags and backpacks. Upon the police announcing their presence, the suspect attempted to run, but stopped and was arrested,” according to the press release.

That man turned out to be Robert G. Vincent, 34, of Wasilla, police say. A records check showed he had four outstanding warrants for failure to appear in court on charges of drug misconduct, weapons misconduct, providing false information, driving on a revoked license, leaving the scene of an accident and no proof of insurance.

He was arrested on the warrants and also on charges of burglary and criminal mischief. Theft charges are pending.

Vincent was jailed at the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility on $18,500 bail. Jail records Monday afternoon showed he was still incarcerated.

Wasilla men help rescue snowmachiners

BALD MOUNTAIN — Alaska State Troopers say two men who spotted a snowmachining party at the bottom of a ravine were instrumental in the ensuing rescue efforts Saturday.

According to a trooper press statement, at 7:30 p.m., the call went out to respond to the ravine near Bald Mountain.

Troopers say that two Wasilla men, Wade E. Bailey, 27, and Bradley J. Rigdon, 28, spotted at least three snowmachiners at the bottom of the ravine and were able to help coordinate trooper search and rescue efforts.

Not only that, but they volunteered to stay on scene to help troopers when they arrived. Troopers say that help ended up not being necessary — one of the snowmachines was able to get out of the ravine. Rigdon and Bailey helped take the snowmachiners to safety.

Teen arrested on drinking charges

MAT-SU — Alaska State Troopers said a report of a pickup that had been driven into a tree and abandoned led them to an underage drinking and drunken driving arrest Friday. According to a trooper press statement, the report came in at 3:30 a.m. The pickup was found with heavy front-end damage — estimated at $5,000 — at the corner of Charwood Lane and Cedarwood Drive.

Troopers say they were able to find the driver, Harrison E. Ford, 19, of Wasilla, at a nearby home.

They arrested him for drunken driving, underage drinking, and being underage and driving after drinking. He was jailed at the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility on $500 bail.