Naked teen allegedly assaults homeowners, mutilates cat

WASILLA -- A 17-year-old who broke into three Knik-Goose Bay area homes, assaulted the residents and mutilated a pet cat was arrested Monday for burglary, theft, criminal mischief, assault and cruelty to animals, according to Alaska State Troopers.

On the evening of Sept. 13, troopers responded to a call near Mile 12.5 Knik-Goose Bay Road of a partially clothed teen who was acting in a bizarre manner. The suspect, identified as Eugene Sweeney, reportedly walked up to a residence and assaulted the homeowner for no apparent reason.

By the time troopers arrived, Sweeney had already broken into another home, stolen some jewelry, assaulted that homeowner and broken into an unoccupied residence by shattering several windows with his bare hands.

After substantially damaging the inside of that house, Sweeney emerged from the house naked and several neighbors began pursuing him through the street.

Sandra Irish, who lives nearby, said she heard a commotion and had come out of her house with her husband's rifle to assist neighbors in apprehending the teen. She gave the rifle to a neighbor and when they approached Sweeney he resisted and ran into Irish's house through the front door, which she had left open.

Irish said she refused to go in after Sweeney because she knew there were more firearms in the house. Sandra's husband, Ed Irish, came home a few minutes later and found that several neighbors had the teen cornered in the bedroom. One of the neighbors gave Ed back his rifle and Ed yelled at Sweeney to come out.

"When he came out he was naked and just covered in blood," Ed said. "He stood in the doorway and I told him, 'don't move,' but he just backed into the room and closed the door."

Once inside, Sweeney had barricaded himself in the bedroom and mutilated the Irishs' pet cat so badly Ed later had to euthanize the animal.

Troopers arrived shortly thereafter and found Sweeney huddled in the closet, clutching Sandra's bathrobe. Ed said When troopers asked the teen what he was doing in the Irishs' house, he replied that it was his home.

"He looked like he was freaking out on some kind of drugs," Sandra said. "His eyes were just glazed over."

Troopers reported the young man was covered with scratches, blood and cuts, several of them deep. Medics were called to the scene, and after Sweeney was restrained he was transported to Valley Hospital by ambulance.

Sweeney, whose identity was confirmed by Mat-Su Youth Facility officials, was treated for injuries and booked into Mat-Su Youth Facility.

"It was very traumatic for us," Ed said. "We're having a hard time just staying here now. There was so much blood in the bedroom, it was like I killed one of my pigs in there."

Contact John Davidson at john.davidson@frontiersman.

com.