Police Beat

Aug. 3, 2007

All information reported in Police Beat is obtained from police department press releases. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

AK Bureau of Alcohol & Drug Enforcement

Marijuana Grow Operation

The Mat Su Drug Unit executed a search warrant at a Wasilla residence and seized a commercial marijuana grow operation, consisting of 56 plants, related growing equipment, processed marijuana and a surveillance system. Bruce A. Dean (55) was arrested on four counts of Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance and was transported to MSPT. His bail was set at $5,000.

The Mat Su Narcotics Unit is comprised of Investigators from the Alaska Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Enforcement, Wasilla Police Department and the Palmer Police Department. This law enforcement investigative effort was supported by a grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs. Anyone with information concerning illegal drug activity is encouraged to contact the Mat Su Crime Stoppers at 745-3333.

WASILLA POLICE

DEPARTMENT

July 30: Wasilla Police responded to 425 Parks Highway in Wasilla for a report of a burglary. Upon arrival, police contacted Amber D. Wilson, age 35, of Wasilla who reported that the business was broken into and two computer monitors and cash had been stolen. The investigation continues.

July 30, 8:37 a.m.: Darlene Miller with Mat-Su Hospice reported the expected home death of Patricia Gordon, age 76, of Wasilla. Miller was present along with next of kin. Gordon died of natural causes and was taken to Valley Funeral Home.

July 30, 10:48 a.m.: Tim Roy, age 27, of Wasilla, reported to Wasilla Police that his 2005 Yamaha Raptor had been stolen from his residence off of Robin Circle. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Wasilla Police Department at 352-5401 or Mat-Su Crime Stoppers at 745-3333. The investigation continues.

July 30, 6:55 p.m.: Wasilla Police received a call from the Dorothy Saxton Shelter reporting a male juvenile had run away. The juvenile is a white male last seen wearing blue jeans and a blue T-shirt. The investigation is ongoing.

July 30, at 8:17 a.m.: Wasilla Police received a call from Brian Plummer, age 32, of Anchorage, who reported his chop saw had been stolen from his construction site at 435 Crestwood. Estimated value of items taken was over $300. The investigation is ongoing.

July 27, 1:09 a.m.: Wasilla Police observed a vehicle crossing and weaving across the fog line traveling northbound on the Parks Highway. Subsequent investigation found probable cause to believe that the driver, Noah Stansberry, age 24, of Wasilla, was operating a motor vehicle while his license was suspended. Stansberry was issued a summons to appear in court on those charges.

July 27, 7:58 a.m.: Wasilla Police responded to Knik Goose Bay Road at the intersection of Railroad Avenue for a report of a two car motor vehicle collision. At the scene, police made contact with both drivers. Driver #1, Chrystal Clark told police that she was northbound on Knik Goose Bay Road and failed to see that traffic had stopped in front of her for the traffic signal at the Parks Highway. Clark said she struck the rear of vehicle #2, driven by Ina Nazario who had stopped in front of her. Nazario stated she had stopped for traffic just south of the Parks Highway and near Railroad Avenue and was rear ended by vehicle #1. There was minor damage to both vehicles.

July 27, 8:03 a.m.: Wasilla Police were advised of vandalism done to several Wasilla businesses during the night.

July 27, 11:21 a.m.: Wasilla Police made contact with Ryan Taylor, age 32, of Wasilla. A check of APSIN records on Taylor revealed a $500 warrant issued out of Tok by the Alaska State Troopers for Failure to Appear for a court date. Police arrested Taylor for the outstanding warrant and Taylor was remanded to the Mat-Su Pretrial facility.

July 27: Wasilla Police received a tip that a white male was going to the Brown Jug by the Chevron gas station to rob it. Investigation revealed that a 17-year-old went into Brown Jug and attempted to steal a bottle of rum. Charges of theft and minor on a licensed premise will be forwarded to the District Attorney's office.

July 28: Chris Hess contacted Wasilla Police and reported that another vehicle struck his car while it was in the parking lot of the Wasilla skate park. Hess talked to a couple of the kids in the park and they described the suspect vehicle as a dark blue van. Investigation continues

July 28, 17:32 p.m.: Wasilla Police conducted a routine traffic stop on a green van for failing to yield to on-coming traffic, and having an expired registration. Subsequent investigation found probable cause to believe that Billy Bostwick had committed Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance (MICS) in the 3rd degree, two counts of MICS in the 4th degree, MICS in the 6th degree, Driving While License was Revoked, and he was in violation of his felony probation. Bostwick was arrested and transported to the Mat-Su Pretrial facility where his bail was set at $20,000 plus court approved third party custody.

July 28, at 9:12 p.m.: Wasilla Police received a call from the Dorothy Saxton Shelter reporting three juvenile females had run away. The juveniles were last seen walking toward Lucille and Spruce. The investigation is ongoing.

July 29, 2:12 a.m.: Wasilla Police conducted a traffic stop on a 1984 Chevrolet pickup at the intersection of the Palmer-Wasilla Highway and Glenwood. Subsequent investigation revealed that Jeffery Churchill, age 41, of Eagle River was driving with a revoked license. Churchill was issued a summons to appear in court.

July 29, 10:03 a.m.: Wasilla Police responded to Knik Goose Bay Road and Heritage Farm Road for a reported two vehicle traffic collision. Investigation reveled, a vehicle driven by Jason Hipszer, age 32, of Wasilla, was traveling northbound on Knik Goose Bay Road attempting to turn down Heritage Farm Road. A vehicle driven by Patricia Ryall, age 38, of Big Lake was also traveling northbound on Knik Goose Bay Road and failed to observe Hipszer turning onto Heritage Farm Road. Both vehicles collided resulting in minor damage. There were no reported injuries.

July 30, approximately 5 a.m.: Wasilla Police responded to an alarm call at the Alaska Bicycle Shop located at 201 W. Nelson Avenue. Police found that someone had thrown a rock through the front window. The owner of the shop stated that the value of the window was $156. No bicycles were taken or damaged.

July 29: Wasilla Police stopped Ashley E. Bartel, age 26, of Wasilla for driving left of the center line. Investigation led to the seizure of drug-related items in the trunk of Bartel's vehicle. The investigation continues.

July 26, 10:52 a.m.: Wasilla Police took a report of Criminal Mischief at 101 W. Swanson Avenue. Michael Keenan, age 40, of Wasilla reported that sometime during the early morning hours someone had spray painted over the Central Fire Department sign. The investigation continues.

On July 26: Wasilla Police received a call from a Fred Meyer employee stating they had a 17-year-old in custody for shoplifting $261.96 worth of clothing. The juvenile was released to an adult and charges of Theft in the 3rd degree will be forwarded to juvenile intake.

On July 26, 2007, at 5:47 p.m.: Jeff Kenworthy, age 54, of Wasilla found three hand guns in his son's room. Kenworthy indicated that his son, identified as Joel Kenworthy, age 19, of Wasilla, and another male staying at his residence, identified as Damion Nichols, age 26, of Wasilla, were likely the persons responsible for the guns. The investigation continues.

July 26: Wasilla Police received a phone call from Christine Rouse, age 49, of Big Lake, an employee at the Tesoro at Main Street reporting a white male adult came into the store and stole two bottles of vodka and then left in a white pickup bearing Alaska license plate #FBF331. The total value of the items taken was $42. Investigation is on-going.

July 27, at 5:13 a.m.: Dawn Britt, age 20, of Wasilla reported finding a counterfeit $5 bill in the cash register at the Holiday gas station on Boundary Street. Britt did not know when the bill had been received or from whom. The investigation continues.

July 27, at 5:27 a.m.: Sean Jordan, age 20, of Wasilla, and Nathaniel Reichard, age 18, of Palmer reported their vehicles had been broken into and multiple items were missing. Both vehicles had been parked at the Lowe's store at approximately 9 p.m. that night, where both of the individuals worked on the night crew. Jordan was missing a JVC car CD player, two JDL subwoofer speakers and a 1,000 watt amplifier set. Reichard was missing an X-Box 360, 3 X-Box games, and a box of men's clothing. The total value of the property taken was estimated at $1,500. The store's manager agreed to check the store's security video recording. The investigation continues.

ALASKA STATE TROOPERS

DWSOL

Aug. 1, at 8:35 a.m.: Alaska State Troopers stopped a 1994 Ford Aerostar van for a moving violation on Vine Road. The driver identified as Jashua Mortorell-Lebaron (24 YOA of Wasilla) was found to be driving with a suspended license. Mortorell-Lebaron was issued a summons for DWSOL and released.

Aug. 1, at 11:23 a.m.: AST arrested Janise V. Hansen, age 48, of Big Lake for DUI after she was contacted at Mile 6.3 of Big Lake Road following her vehicle going into the ditch. She was subsequently transported to MatSu Pretrial Facility and held on $1,500 bail.

DUI

Aug. 1, 7:45 p.m.: Alaska State Troopers contacted Coyia L. Sweet, age 64, of Palmer during a traffic stop. Sweet's vehicle was initially reported as a REDDI vehicle. Investigation revealed that Sweet was driving under the influence of alcohol. Sweet was arrested for DUI. Sweet was transported to Mat-Su Pretrial where she was booked into jail with bail set at $2,000.

Parole Violation

Aug. 2 at 1:20 a.m.: AST South Central DUI Enforcement Team contacted Steven W. Stewart, age 36, of Wasilla at the Tesoro located at the intersection of the Parks Hwy. and Pittman Rd. in Wasilla. Stewart was found to have been consuming alcohol in violation of his conditions of parole. Stewart was arrested for a parole violation and transported to Mat-Su Pretrial Facility where a probation officer remanded him without bail.

DUI, DWLS

Aug. 2, at approximately 3:25 a.m.: AST South Central DUI Enforcement Team conducted a traffic stop on a 1988 Nissan pickup for an equipment violation on the Parks Hwy. near Pittman Road. Investigation revealed, the operator, Elias Rolando, age 29 of Eagle River was operating the vehicle on a suspended license and under the influence of alcohol. Rolando was arrested for DUI and DWLS and remanded to the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility on $2,000 bail.

Theft III (x2)

Aug. 1, 10:20 a.m.: Alaska State Troopers contacted Diane Church, 45, of Wasilla, who stated sometime between July 31 at 9:30 p.m. and Aug. 1 at 6 a.m., someone stole two bicycles that were in her front yard on Borigo Road in Wasilla. The bicycles were described as a men's orange Mongoose Roadmaster with Ballistic front suspension and a purple and pink girl's Next Power Climber. Total value of the bicycles was estimated at $180. The investigation is continuing.

DWLS

July 31, 11:23 p.m.: AST arrested Dustin Hill, age 20, of Willow for DWLS after he was stopped at Parks Highway and King Arthur Court for an inoperative taillight. He was subsequently transported and lodged at MatSu Pretrial Facility and held on $500 bail.

Assault IV-DV

July 31, 8:27 p.m.: Alaska State Troopers received a report of an assault that took place at a residence on Kathleen Circle, Wasilla. Investigation revealed that Patricia Patterson, age 49, of Wasilla had assaulted a family member. Patterson was arrested for Assault IV DV and was remanded into Mat-Su Pre-Trial where she was held without bail.

Misuse of Plates

Aug. 1, 5 a.m.: Alaska State Troopers issued Adam Lein, age 24, of Wasilla, a summon for Misuse of Plates. Adams was contacted by Troopers for a traffic violation.

Warrant Arrest

Aug. 1, 1:30 a.m.: Alaska State Troopers contacted Tara Jerabek, age 37, of Wasilla, at her residence in Wasilla. Jerabek had an outstanding Felony warrant with the original charge of Assault II and Assault III. Jerabek was arrested and transported to Mat-Su Pretrial where she was lodged into jail with bail being set at $5,000.

DUI

Aug. 1, at 4:33 a.m.: Alaska State Troopers stopped a silver 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo on Pittman Road near Beverly Lakes Road in Wasilla for moving violations. Investigation revealed that the driver, Lori A. Brown, 35, of Wasilla, was operating the vehicle while intoxicated. Brown was arrested for DUI and transported to MSPT where she was held on $2,500 bail.

Type: Burglary I, Theft II

July 31, at 12:23 p.m.: AST received a report of a burglary at an apartment off of Villa Tranquilla in Wasilla. Investigation revealed that within the 24 hours prior to the report, approximately $2,000 worth of items were stolen from the residence. There was no physical damage done to the property. Investigation continues. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 745-3333 or Alaska State Troopers at 373-8300.

Vehicle Theft I, Burglary II

Ju;y 31, at approximately 4:08 p.m.: AST received a report of an ATV theft at approximately mile 1.8 Pittman Road in Wasilla. Investigation revealed that a gray Yamaha Wolverine 350 was stolen from a shed sometime within the past week. The estimated value of the ATV is $4,000. Investigation continues. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 745-3333 or Alaska State Troopers at 373-8300.

MVC-Injury

Aug.1, at 5:23 p.m.: Troopers responded to a motor vehicle crash involving injuries at the intersection of the Palmer-Wasilla Hwy. and Terri Lou Court. 36-year-old Rebecca Tovsen of Wasilla was westbound on the Palmer-Wasilla Hwy. driving a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban when she rear-ended a 1996 Ford Explorer being driven by 47-year-old Nancy Cockcroft of Wasilla. Cockcroft was stopped in traffic at a road construction area at the time. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts at the time, and air bags did not deploy. Tovsen was not injured, but Cockcroft was transported to MatSu Regional Medical Center for neck pain. Tovsen was issued a citation for No Proof of Insurance and also for Fail to Exercise Due Care to Avoid a Collision. Both vehicles were driven from the scene.

Alaska wildlife troopers

Unlawful use OF radio communication to take big game, take Black Bear over bait within one mile of a residence, Wanton waste of Big game animal, take big game from a boat, fail to clean Black Bear bait site, use other than biodegradable bait at bait site, fail to seal Black Bear, Fail to affix non-resident locking tag, unlawful possession and transportation.

In November of 2006, Alaska Wildlife Troopers in Ketchikan received a tip from a Washington Game and Fish officer that Eric F. Spokely of Tacoma, Wash., had possibly committed hunting violations while hunting black bear near Ketchikan in May of 2006. The investigation revealed that Spokely and six other individuals did hunt on Prince of Wales island in May of 2006. During the hunt, Eric Spokely videotaped the hunting activities of the group with the intention of having the video made available for commercial sale. Troopers obtained a copy of the edited video and reviewed it. Several serious hunting violations were observed on the video including the use of radio communication to take Black Bear, shooting from a boat and taking Black Bear over an illegal bait site. Based on this information Troopers and U.S. Forest Service agents were able to obtain search warrants for five separate locations in Washington. The U.S. Forest Service requires a permit in order to produce and sell video tapes filmed on Forest Service lands. The Alaska Wildlife Troopers Investigative Unit from Anchorage, U.S. Forest Service Agents, Washington Game and Fish officers and Washington State Police served the search warrants in three different locations simultaneously. Evidence was recovered including two illegal Black Bears and several thousand DVD's packaged for sale. In addition, a stolen vehicle was recovered from the garage of Eric Spokely. Also recovered during the search were unedited video tapes of the hunt.

Troopers reviewed these tapes and discovered additional wildlife crimes on video.

Charged in this case were; Eric F. Spokely of Tacoma, Wash.; use of radios to take big game, take Black Bear over bait within one mile of a residence, unlawful possession and transportation and aid and abet; take big game from a boat. Bryant O. Tillotson of Puyallup, Wash.; use of radios to take Big Game, Take Black Bear over bait within one mile of a residence, Unlawful possession and transportation, Aid and abet; Wanton waste of a Big Game animal, fail to seal Black Bear. Ted M. Hultman of Olympia Wash.; Fail to clean up Black Bear Bait site, Establish Bait site within one mile of a residence, use other than biodegradable bait.

John L. Beardsley of Rainer, Ore; use of radio to take Big Game, Wanton Waste Big game animal, Fail to affix non-resident locking tag, Fail to seal Black Bear, shoot from on or across a roadway.

Jennifer Spokely of Tacoma, Wash.; attempt to take big game from a boat.

These defendants have been summonsed to appear in the Craig District court.

Alaska Wildlife Troopers would like to remind hunters and members of the public to notify Troopers immediately of any illegal hunting activity by contacting the local Wildlife Trooper office in their community or the statewide Wildlife Safeguard hot line at 1-800-478-3377.