Police arrest teen

WASILLA -- Police officers in search of suspects who threw eggs inside a Wasilla business early Tuesday morning may have solved two outstanding burglary cases in the process.

Officers responded a few minutes before 1 a.m. on Tuesday to a report that two people had entered the Williams gasoline station on the Parks Highway, thrown several eggs, and then fled from the store. The clerks described one of the suspects as a man wearing a maroon sweater.

Several minutes later officers reportedly located someone who appeared to be a woman wearing a short maroon dress, stockings and high heel shoes. Upon seeing the police, the suspect hurried into the post office, and the officers followed. According to reports, the officers identified the suspect in maroon as Jace C. Baker, a 19-year-old man from the Wasilla area.

Under questioning, Baker allegedly admitted to giving false information in connection with the investigation of an unrelated October incident, and then reportedly admitted to recently burglarizing Dangerous Curves and Arctic Rose Bridal Shop, two Wasilla stores which specialize in women's clothing and lingerie.

Reports indicate that Baker admitted to having taken clothing and other items from the stores, some of which police were able to recover. According to charging documents, a Volkswagen van with curtained windows parked at a local business was found to contain some of the items. Baker reportedly said that he did not have permission to stay in the van.

Wasilla Police Officer Robert Dixon investigated the break-in on Monday of Arctic Rose in the Meta Rose Square. Dixon said Wednesday that someone had broken a front window and entered the business, going throughout the store and leaving clothing and other items strewn about from displays and racks, allegedly stealing dresses, shoes, gloves and other items. In addition to collecting evidence at the scene, Dixon was given a description by store employees of a man who had been in the store just two days prior to the burglary.

Court documents reflect losses to the businesses of approximately $500 each in stolen merchandise and $50 each in damage.

According to court documents, Baker was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree burglary, two counts of second-degree theft, two counts of third-degree criminal mischief, and one count of providing false information. Dixon said that Baker denied involvement in the egg-throwing incident at the Williams gasoline station and subsequently was not charged in that incident. He was remanded to Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility where he remains in lieu of $5,000 cash bail and a court-approved, third-party custodian.

Police are continuing to investigate the burglaries, with additional charges expected.