Masked candy robbers may be women

TALKEETNA — Two women in ski masks may have been the pair who robbed a group of young trick-or-treaters of their candy on Halloween while brandishing a gun and threatening to kill the children.

Investigators believe the girlfriends of two Wasilla men contacted by Alaska State Troopers shortly after the robbery, not the two men themselves, may be the bandits.

An affidavit in support of charges against the men identifies the women as Kendra Butts and Amber Martin. While AST officials say they continue to look for suspects, Butts and Martin are not named as those suspects.

A group of seven children ages 10 to 11 were trick-or-treating near Main Street in Talkeetna at about 5:20 p.m. Wednesday when the robbery happened, AST Investigator Christopher Long says in the affidavit.

A pickup truck drove past the children, made a U turn and stopped, the affidavit says. Then two people wearing ski masks, one with a handgun, got out and threatened to kill the trick-or-treaters if they wouldn’t hand over their bags of candy.

“The children stated the female with the handgun sounded like a female and believed the other subject was [also] a female,” the affidavit says. “Six bags of candy were stolen from the children.” The report also indicates an iPhone was stolen from one of the children.

The affidavit supports complaints against Michael Scott Wilson and Aaron Tolen, both 24. Originally, it was reported one of the men was Shane Wilson, 22. It was later determined Michael Scott Wilson identified himself to investigators as his brother, AST spokesperson Megan Peters said, adding Tolen also initially gave a false identification.

After locating the truck at Latitude 62, a local restaurant and lounge, troopers transported Wilson and Tolen to the Talkeetna AST post and interviewed the men, the affidavit says. Both men had concealed handguns and were uncooperative at times.

The men said they were at a cabin in the area when Butts and Martin arrived, the affidavit says. The women then “told them they robbed some children who were trick-or-treating.”

Wilson said he became upset and there was an argument among the group, then he and Tolen left and went to Latitude 62, the affidavit says. Conversely, Tolen told investigators there was never any argument. He also said he didn’t know the location of the cabin, that he was there but never inside the cabin and would not provide information about the cabin and its owner.

Long also notes in his affidavit that while in custody and being transported to the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility in Palmer, Tolen stole a trooper hat badge that was in the vehicle.

Wilson was arrested for first-degree hindering prosecution and hindering the apprehension of a suspect. Tolen was arrested for third-degree theft of property valued at $50 or more but less than $500.