Palmer man arrested after high-speed chase in Wasilla area

On May 8 at about 10:30 p.m. Anchorage Police contacted MATCOM Public Safety Dispatch Center and requested law enforcement be on the lookout for a black Ford Explorer SUV, being driven by Jeremy T. Kosbruk, age 36, of Palmer. Anchorage Police advised Kosbruk had damaged an APD cruiser when he rammed his way out of a vehicle block, and then led police on a reckless pursuit north on the Glenn Highway towards the Valley. Kosbruk had two outstanding felony warrants for his arrest; one for Sexual Assault of a Minor in the 2nd degree and another for Failure to Comply with Conditions of release from an original charge of Robbery in the 2nd degree.

Wasilla Police located the vehicle traveling westbound on Fireweed Road near Hyer Road and attempted to stop it. Kosbruk fled from pursuing officers, while continuing to drive recklessly both on and off-road. Kosbruk conducted a hasty U-turn in the front yard of a residence on Snow Peak Drive and rammed into a State Trooper’s vehicle when he returned to the roadway. Kosbruk eventually abandoned his vehicle in the yard of a residence on Linlu Lane while he, and his passenger, fled on foot.

Due to his reckless driving, the vehicle he was operating caught fire and eventually exploded. Flaming debris from the vehicle explosion caught fire to more than ten other vehicles in a nearby junk yard. MatSu Borough Fire Service and Division of Forestry personnel responded to contain the multiple subsequent fires.

The female passenger was quickly located, unharmed, hiding under a vehicle in the junk yard. The passenger told police she was in a relationship with Kosbruk and was placed in fear of severe injury while an unwilling passenger in his dangerous efforts to evade capture. WPD Officer Buzzard and K-9 ‘Echo’ were then called to the scene to track Kosbruk. Echo traced his path directly to the front steps of a residence on Crane Road. The homeowner allowed police and troopers to search the residence where Kosbruk was located hiding in an upstairs closet. He was also unharmed and taken into custody without further incident.

Jeremy Kosbruk was remanded to Matsu Pretrial where he was charged with Eluding in the 1st degree and two counts of Assault in the 3rd degree; one for Domestic Violence (DV). Additional charges may be pending from Anchorage Police Department due to his actions before he came into the Valley. Wasilla Police Department would like to thank the Anchorage Police Department, Alaska State Troopers,

Mat-Su Borough Fire and EMS, and Division of Forestry for their assistance in apprehending this wanted fugitive and securing the dangerous fire scene