Police Beat

august 12, 2007

All information reported in Police Beat is obtained from law enforcement reports. Contact managing editor Greg Johnson with questions at 352-2268 or greg.johnson@frontiersman.com.

WASILLA POLICE DEPARTMeNT

DWLCSR

Aug. 4: Wasilla police received an anonymous complaint stating they observed Jimmie Connell operating a blue Chevrolet pickup and believed that Connell was going to be going to the Wasilla movie theater. A subsequent investigation found Connell leaving the movie theater and a routine traffic stop was conducted. Connell was arrested for allegedly driving while license revoked and on a no bail probation warrant.

Aug. 6: Police contacted Michael Weldon, 45, of Wasilla following a traffic stop. Investigation revealed Weldon was allegedly operating a motor vehicle while his operator's license status was revoked. Weldon was issued a summons for driving while license revoked and released to a valid driver.

MICS

Aug. 4: Police made a field contact with a vehicle parked in the parking lot at Wonderland Park by the bathrooms. A subsequent investigation allegedly found drug paraphernalia and one Vicodin pill. The suspect in possession of the paraphernalia and Vicodin pill was identified as Alexis Baker, 19, of Wasilla. The case was referred to the district attorney's office for review.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF / VANDALISM

Aug. 6: Police were called to Carrs supermarket for a report of a vehicle that was vandalized. Upon arrival, Wasilla police met with Natalita Linga, 23, of Big Lake. She stated that she works for Pepsi and came into Carrs at 3 a.m. to stock shelves and left at 6 a.m. and found that her left front fender was kicked in. Damage to the fender is estimated over $500.

ALASKA STATE TROOPERS

NVOL

Aug. 5, 12:35 a.m.: Trooper DUI Enforcement Team stopped a vehicle near Mile 97 of the Parks Highway in Talkeetna for an alleged equipment violation. The operator of the vehicle was identified as Jose L. Herrera, 17, of Anchorage. Herrera was found to be operating the vehicle without a valid driver's license. Herrera was issued a summons to appear in court at a later date for NVOL and released from the scene.

MCA

Aug. 4, 7:22 a.m.: Troopers investigated a motor vehicle rollover near mile 7.5 S. Big Lake Road. Investigation allegedly revealed that one of the vehicle passengers, 19-year-old Robert Dobesh of Anchorage, had illegally consumed alcoholic beverages. Dobesh was issued one summons for the violation and released at the scene.

THEFT / BURGLARY / ROBBERY / SHOPLIFTING

Aug. 6, 6:33 p.m.: Christopher D. Roberts, 36, of Wasilla reported to the troopers that his residence on Helen Lane had been burglarized. An estimated $3,000 worth of construction equipment was taken. At this time the incident is still under investigation.

Aug. 6, 3:35 p.m.: Walter Hand, 49, of Wasilla reported to Troopers that someone had stolen lumber from a new home construction on Williwaw Way. Investigation revealed that sometime between Aug. 5 at 10 p.m. and Aug. 6 at 9 a.m., someone stole 30 pieces of 8-foot 2x8 pine boards from his construction site. The lumber was valued at $215. An investigation is continuing.

Aug. 7, 1:10 p.m.: Michael Leffingwell, 52, of Big Lake reported a theft to the troopers. Investigation revealed that sometime between June 7 and Aug. 7, two pistols were allegedly stolen from a residence on Lilly Lake Road in Big Lake. Total loss of the firearms, a Colt 1903 and a CZ52, are estimated at $300. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact the troopers at 373-8300 or Crime Stoppers at 745-3333. Investigation continues.

Aug. 7, 9:44 a.m.: William Olday, 49, of Wasilla reported a theft near the intersection of Hollywood Road and Preston Hills Drive. Investigation revealed that between 3 p.m. Aug. 6 and 8:30 a.m. Aug. 7, unknown person(s) had allegedly stole the battery, valued at $200, from a piece of heavy machinery. Approximately $300 worth of fuel was also stolen from the equipment. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact troopers at 373-8300 or Crime Stoppers at 745-3333. Investigation continues.

Aug. 7, 11:25 p.m.: Troopers responded to a reported theft of money from a residence on Shirley Ann Circle. David Lawrence, 23, of Wasilla reported that he discovered $200 missing from his wallet that was left unattended on a kitchen counter. The case is under investigation and there are no suspects at this time.

Aug. 8, 5:04 a.m.: Troopers were notified that someone had broken the front window at Newman's Tesoro in Willow in order to steal several packs of cigarettes sometime between 12:30 and 5 a.m. Damage to the window is estimated at $500, and the value of the stolen cigarettes is estimated at $100. Two suspects have been identified and the investigation is ongoing.

WARRANT ARREST

Aug. 6, 8:43 p.m.: Troopers arrested Chad Kreftmyer, 19, of Wasilla on an outstanding arrest warrant. Troopers stopped Kreftmyer after he was allegedly observed driving 76 mph in a 45 mph zone. Investigation revealed that Kreftmyer had a warrant for failing to appear. Investigation also revealed that Kreftmyer didn't have a valid operator's license. Kreftmyer was charged with no valid operators license and was transported to Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility, where he was remanded and bail was set at $1,250, cash/corporate.

DUI

Aug. 7, 3:30 a.m.: Troopers received a report of a single-vehicle rollover near Mile 32.5 of the Glenn Highway. Investigation revealed that Justin Thompson, 27, of Chugiak was driving his 1995 Chevy pickup when he allegedly lost control of his vehicle, causing the vehicle to leave the roadway and roll over before coming to a rest on its top. The vehicle is considered a total loss. Thompson had left the scene prior to troopers arrival. Thompson was later contacted near Mile 52 of the Parks Highway on a separate traffic stop. Investigation revealed Thompson was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. Thompson was arrested and remanded at Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility where he was held on $500 bail. Thompson was also charged with failure to give immediate notice of an accident after failing to report the accident.

MVC / MVA

Aug. 7, 7:41 a.m.: Troopers responded to a motor vehicle collision on Palmer-Wasilla Highway near Weswood in Wasilla. An investigation revealed Deven Murphy, 19, of Yamhill, Ore., was traveling west on Palmer-Wasilla Highway in a 2005 Dodge pickup when his vehicle allegedly collided with a 1998 Mitsubishi two-door that was turning. The driver of the Mitsubishi was Rachel Rider, 20, of Wasilla. Rider's vehicle was pushed into oncoming traffic where it collided with a 1992 Ford sedan driven by Shawn Cole, 36, of Wasilla. Murphy's Dodge sustained an estimated $5,000 in damage. Rider's Mitsubishi and Cole's Ford were both a total loss. All parties were wearing seat belts at the time of the collision. Rider and Cole were treated at the scene and taken to Mat-Su Regional Hospital for further care of their injuries. Murphy was issued a citation for negligent driving.

Aug. 7, 2:27 p.m.: Troopers responded to a report of a motor vehicle collision at Mile 7 Palmer-Wasilla Highway. Forty-one-year-old Thomas Holohan of Wasilla was stopped in traffic waiting to make a left turn when he was allegedly rear-ended by 26-year-old Kelly Riggs-Seamands of Palmer. Holohan was driving a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer, and Riggs-Seamands was driving a 1998 Toyota Corolla. Both vehicles had minor damage and were driven from the scene. Both drivers were wearing their seat belts, and neither was injured. Riggs-Seamands was issued a citation for failure to exercise due care to avoid a collision.

Aug. 7, 3:24 p.m.: Troopers responded to a collision in the traffic safety corridor at the intersection of the Parks Highway and Stanley Road in Wasilla. Investigation revealed that Cheryl Nichols, 23, of Wasilla was driving north on the Parks Highway in a 1997 Chevy Tahoe. Jennifer Belardi, 44, of Big Lake was northbound on the Parks Highway behind Nichols in a 1992 Chrysler sedan. Nichols attempted to turn left onto an unnamed street when Belardi attempted to pass. The vehicle driven by Nichols allegedly collided with Belardi's vehicle causing approximately $3,000 damage to each vehicle. Belardi was issued citations for failure to exercise due care to avoid collision and for failure to show proof of insurance. Nichols was issued citations for failure to show proof of insurance and for expired vehicle registration. All parties reported wearing their seat belts. There were no injuries.

Aug. 7, 5:35 p.m.: Troopers responded to a three-vehicle collision at about Mile 4 of Knik Goose Bay Road in Wasilla. Investigation revealed Adam Andrews, 30, of Wasilla drove his brown 1998 Chevy Tahoe onto Knik Goose Bay Road from the Tesoro parking lot after allegedly failing to yield to oncoming traffic. Helen Lindsey, 53, of Wasilla was driving her silver 1998 Ford Taurus westbound on Knik Goose Bay Road when it collided with the side of the Tahoe and ran off the road. John Brown, 45, of Wasilla was driving his silver 2007 Chevy Silverado eastbound on Knik Goose Bay Road and collided with the front of the Tahoe. Both the Tahoe and Taurus are totaled. Damage to the Silverado is approximately $4,000. Andrews, Helen Lindsey and Mike Lindsey, a passenger in the Taurus, were transported to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, where they were reported to have minor injuries. Andrews was issued a citation for failure to yield. Further investigation revealed that Andrews was driving with a suspended license. Subsequently, Andrews was also issued a summons to appear in court for driving while his license is suspended.

Aug. 8, 2:40 p.m.: Troopers were notified of a two-vehicle collision near Mile 67.5 of the Parks Highway. Investigation indicated that Virginia Mitchell, 26, of Wasilla was driving her 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass South on the Parks Highway with her husband, Jeremy Christine, 28, also of Wasilla, when a 2001 Plymouth Voyager minivan operated by Dorotha Dupree, 48, of Willow traveling northbound allegedly crossed the center line and collided head-on with the Cutlass. All three suffered major injuries and were flown by medical helicopter from the scene to Providence Hospital in Anchorage for treatment. The vehicles were impounded and the investigation is ongoing. As a result of the collision, the Parks Highway was closed for about two and a half hours while emergency responders worked on the scene.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

Aug. 7, 6:22 p.m.: Troopers arrested Armand Michael Kolberg II, 40, of Palmer for alleged disorderly conduct and misconduct involving a weapon IV. Kolberg, in the presence of troopers, allegedly challenged a neighbor to a gun fight after being warned not to do that. A Browning bolt action .375 caliber rifle was discovered in Kolberg's residence on the kitchen floor with ammunition near an open rear door. Kolberg was also intoxicated and had been drinking alcoholic beverages throughout the day. Kolberg was remanded to Mat-Su Pre-Trial with bail set at $2,500 cash only and court approved third party, no drinking and no contact with the neighbor.

DWLCSR

Aug. 7, 7:35 p.m.: Near Seldon and Lucille Street in Wasilla, troopers arrested Robert Magee, 39, of Wasilla for allegedly driving while his license was revoked after a traffic stop for expired plates. Magee was remanded to Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility where bail was set at $1,000 cash. Magee was also issued a citation for no proof of insurance.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

Aug. 9, 2:30 a.m.: Betty Tyrone of Gakona reported that her grandson, David A. Theodore, was yelling at her and her daughter and threatening to kill someone in the village. Tyrone said Theodore was drunk and punched a hole in the wall of her living room in No. 2 Gakona, estimated damage $150. Troopers contacted Theodore at 4:40 a.m. in No. 5 Gakona. He was passed out in the garage area and still intoxicated. Due to investigation David A. Theodore was arrested for criminal mischief IV. He was lodged at Glennallen Jail.

ALASKA WILDLIFE TROOPERS

SPORTFISHING DURING CLOSED SEASON

Aug. 4: Michael Gericke, 26, of Wasilla was cited by wildlife troopers for allegedly sport fishing in the waters of Cottonwood Creek during a closed season. Bail was set at $110 in the Palmer District Court.

Aug. 5: Carrie Kelso, 20, of Wasilla was cited for allegedly sport fishing in the waters of Cottonwood Creek during a closed season. Bail was set at $110 in the Palmer District Court.

FALSE STATEMENT ON LICENSE APPLICATION

Aug. 4: Mark Berryman, 31, of Wasilla was cited by for allegedly making a false statement on a license application after he was contacted while sport fishing in the waters of Willow Creek. Investigation revealed Berryman purchased a 2007 resident Alaska sport fishing license at a time when he was in nonresident status. Bail was set at $310 in Palmer District Court.

FAILURE TO RELEASE SNAGGED SALMON

Aug. 5: Sidney Saimanies, 47, of Anchorage was contacted on Fish Creek. Investigation revealed Saimanies allegedly snagged, and then failed to release two salmon. Saimanies fish and equipment were seized. Bail was set at $150 in the Palmer District Court.