Police arrest two for breaking into historic downtown building

WASILLA — Police followed footprints in the snow last month to find two men accused of breaking into a historic downtown building while high on methamphetamines.

According to documents filed in the case against Scheulr Shadbolt, 21, and Christopher Maynard, 24, both of Wasilla, at the time of their arrests Jan. 25 police had stepped up patrols in the area due to a break-in the previous evening at the historic downtown town site.

Wasilla Police Department Officer Michael Bonadurer wrote in an affidavit filed in court that he was working that patrol when he noticed an open door on one of the town site’s cabins.

“Further investigation revealed the door to be forced in. The door lock and corresponding door molding were damaged. In addition, the back door showed an attempt to be kicked in. There were footprints in the snow as well also on the door,” Bonadurer wrote.

He and his sergeant, Bill Rapson, and Officer Don Ridge followed those prints westbound on Swanson Avenue all the way to a specific apartment in a building on Nelson Avenue where Bonadurer met Maynard and Shadbolt.

“Both Maynard and Shadbolt admitted to entering the cabin. Shadbolt stated he witnessed Maynard kick in the front door,” Bonadurer wrote. “Shadbolt offered no explanation as to why he entered the cabin. Maynard stated he went inside the cabin to make sure no one was in there. In addition, Maynard admitted to ingesting methamphetamine hours prior to entering the cabin.”

Shadbolt and Maynard were jailed at the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility on trespassing and criminal mischief charges. Jail records Saturday afternoon showed Maynard had since bailed out but Shadbolt was still in jail, though he’d been transferred to the Palmer Correctional Center.