Palmer man facing theft, forgery charges

WASILLA — A 23-year-old Palmer man faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after allegedly breaking into and stealing from a family member’s vehicle and home.

An Alaska State Troopers’ Sept. 8 affidavit states troopers arrested 23-year-old Devan A. Cherneski on probation violation, first-degree burglary, second-degree theft, first and second-degree criminal trespass, second-degree theft of an access device, second-degree forgery, and third degree theft. According to the affidavit, troopers were called to a Pine Needle Way residence where they reviewed a security camera footage.

Troopers said around 1 p.m. on Sept. 7, the footage showed Cherneski entering a parked vehicle and removing a fanny pack containing a loaded Sig Sauer Model 232 handgun, and place it in his vehicle parked close by. Police said the footage showed Cherneski also removed three five-gallon gas cans full of aviation gas.

Police state the complainant re-contacted them later that day stating Cherneski had broken into his home through an unlocked second-story window. The complainant said $500 cash in an envelope taped to the bottom of a drawer in the bedroom was taken as was $300 from a home office.

The complainant contacted troopers about an hour later advising them that a local credit union had contacted him stating Cherneski was attempting to cash a forged check. At that point, police contacted Adult Probations which agreed to have Cherneski picked up for probation violation.

Police state that upon his arrest, troopers found a number of forged checks made out to Cherneski, his cellphone in airplane mode and a large quantity of drug paraphernalia. Troopers state the complainant is still inventorying his home and that additional charges may be filed. Cherneski was remanded to Mat-Su Pretrial Facility where bail was set at $2,500 and a court-appointed third party. He is scheduled for a Sept. 18 preliminary hearing in Palmer District Court.