Man indicted in alleged car theft

PALMER -- A Palmer grand jury has indicted a 19-year-old man on seven felony counts in connection with an alleged vehicle theft and other incidents.

Jeramie S. Makay faces charges of first-degree vehicle theft, first-degree burglary, second-degree theft by receiving, second-degree burglary, and three counts of second-degree theft. The indictments were handed down March 3 in Palmer Superior Court. Firearms are among the items Makay is alleged to have stolen.

Charging documents indicate that a 1993 Chevrolet pickup truck was stolen Jan. 27 from a garage at a Butte residence. The resident said the garage door was closed at 2 a.m. but open at 7:30 a.m., charging documents said, adding that keys were left in the truck's ignition.

Alaska State Troopers, acting on a tip, contacted Makay and found he had an outstanding $1,000 arrest warrant. He denied having taken the truck, according to charging documents. However, troopers said they found two keys to a GM vehicle in his jacket pocket during a search and Makay was lodged at Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility.

A family member found the missing truck near Jim Creek on Jan. 29 and the vehicle was towed to its owner's home, troopers said. The truck had sustained about $3,000 in damage since being taken from the garage, troopers said.

The keys from Makay's jacket fit the vehicle's door and ignition, charging documents said. Troopers added that an estimated $2,200 worth of hand tools, power tools, sporting goods, auto parts and shop equipment also was recovered.