Pair robs home of $10,000 guns, collectables

Note: This story has been retracted due to some factual inaccuracies. http://www.frontiersman.com/news/sockeye-fire-burglary-story-retracted/article_4498c814-1964-11e5-a470-b78d79c2a0ec.html

PALMER — Wasilla Police were doing a routine patrol 3 a.m., Friday when they spotted two thieves in the process of robbing a house, authorities said.

A Wasilla police officer spotted a woman later identified as Rachael West, 27, of Wasilla during what he identified as a robbery in progress. A brief search of the property in conjunction with Alaska State Troopers turned up Tyler Snodgrass, 29, of Wasilla, hiding under a trailer on the property, according to a Wasilla Police Department press release.

Snodgrass and West were accused of taking about 32 guns and numerous collectable coins from the home, for a total estimated value of $10,000, according to the release.

Police caught the pair burglarizing the home of a man working as part of the civilian effort to fight the now-7,264-acre Sockeye fire, according to Assistant District Attorney Eric Centa.

“They were caught red-handed by (Wasilla) Officer Andy Kappler loading up about 32 guns and $10,000 into their car,” Centa wrote in an email. Kappler “happened to be doing routine patrol in the area and he noticed the front door of the house kicked in.”

Police aren’t releasing the address of the burglarized resident, according to Wasilla Police spokesman Dan Bennett.

Snodgrass was largely respectful and stoic, until the end of his video arraignment at the courthouse Friday.

“Whatever,” he said, turning his back on the jailhouse camera after being dismissed.

West was also respectful, but spoke slightly more.

“It was general delivery Willow, but Willow’s evacuated, so …” she said, when asked for her address.

Later, shortly before authorities set her bail, she asked if she could make a statement.

“I drove Tyler there,” she said, apparently referring to the residence where she was arrested. “The other cases that I have … that’s for brass knuckles that were not mine, they were in a vehicle I was driving. My charges are really not putting me in danger to the community or anything to really be needing a third-party. Like I said, I drove Tyler there, and the police report is not accurate. Tyler unloaded things from the vehicle. I didn’t even get out.”

“I just find it unfair to be sitting in jail this whole time for driving someone somewhere,” West said.

Snodgrass’ bail was set at $10,000 cash or corporate bail with court-appointed third-party custodial requirement. And West’s bail was set at $2,500 cash or corporate bail with court-appointed third-party custodial requirements.

Contact Brian O’Connor at 352-2269, brian.oconnor@frontiersman.com, or on Twitter @reporterbriano.