POLICE BEAT: Jan. 5, 2018

Editor’s note: The Frontiersman Police Beat contains listings taken directly — and with limited editing — from state and local law enforcement agency online reports. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Alaska State Troopers

AK18000186

Location: Wasilla

Type: MVC-D

Dispatch Text:

On 1/1/18, at approximately 2030 hours, Alaska State Troopers responded to a 3 vehicle motor vehicle collision on the Parks Highway near Hyer Road. Investigation showed that a 2003 Chevy Impala lost control on extremely icy roads and struck a 2016 Ford pickup with an attached snow machine trailer which was pulled off the side of the highway. The impact caused the trailer to break away from the truck, at which time a 2015 Toyota SUV towing a 2-place snow machine trailer struck the trailer. No injuries were sustained and all three vehicles were driven from the scene. Two fully loaded snow machine trailers had to be towed by responding tow companies due to damages sustained.

AK18000038

Location: Big Lake

Type: Death Investigation

Dispatch Text:

Update: On 1-3-18 at approximately 1300 hours, Anthony Smith was arraigned at the Palmer Courthouse. He continues to be held with bail set at $250K and a Court approved Third Party Custodian required. In addition to the Murder 1st Degree charged, after consultation with the Palmer District Attorney’s Office, an additional charge of Assault in the 4th Degree was added based on the investigation of events that prompted a prior AST response to the residence that morning. Troopers had responded to a disturbance at the Big Lake residence on 1/1/18 at 0218 hours.

In addition to the ongoing criminal investigation. AST is conducting a comprehensive review of our initial response to this residence.

Update: The deceased has been positively identified by the State Medical Examiner’s Office as Amy Smith, 37 of Wasilla. On 1/2/18 an autopsy was conducted on Amy Smith and the results of the autopsy indicated the cause of death was homicide. At approximately 1600 on 1/2/2018, members of the “B” Detachment Criminal Suppression Unit arrested Anthony Smith, 38 of Wasilla, for Murder in the First Degree. Smith was remanded to the Mat-Su Pretrial facility where he will be held without bail. Investigation by Palmer GIU is ongoing. Amy Smith’s next of kin has been notified.

Original text: On 1/01/18 at 0454 hours, AST and Emergency Medical personal responded to a residence in the Big Lake area for CPR in progress on a 37 year old female. This case is currently being investigated by Palmer GIU.

Location: Wasilla

Type: Death Investigation

Dispatch Text:

On 01/02/2018, at approximately 0711 hours, Alaska State Troopers responded to a report of a deceased person at a residence in the area of Bogard Road, in Wasilla. Investigation revealed Kenneth H. Smith, age 79, of Wasilla, had died unexpectedly. The State Medical Examiner's Office responded to the scene and took possession of the remains. Next of Kin was on scene and there is no signs of foul play.

AK18000443

Location: Wasilla

Type: DUI/MVC

Dispatch Text:

On 01/02/2018 at approximately 2324 hours, the Alaska State Troopers received a report of a traffic accident on the Palmer Wasilla Highway near Shennum Drive, Wasilla. On scene, Troopers located a red Ford Mustang with heavy front and side damage which was sitting on the bike path with no one around it. The vehicle’s owner, Joesph Warren, age 22 of Wasilla was located near his residence, approximately 1.5 miles away where he was walking on foot. Investigation revealed Warren was operating a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol. Warren was arrested and transported to MATSU pretrial where he was booked on charges of DUI released on his own recognizance.

AK18000038

Location: Big Lake

Type: Death Investigation

Dispatch Text:

Update: On 1-3-18 at approximately 1300 hours, Anthony Smith was arraigned at the Palmer Courthouse. He continues to be held with bail set at $250K and a Court approved Third Party Custodian required. In addition to the Murder 1st Degree charged, after consultation with the Palmer District Attorney’s Office, an additional charge of Assault in the 4th Degree was added based on the investigation of events that prompted a prior AST response to the residence that morning. Troopers had responded to a disturbance at the Big Lake residence on 1/1/18 at 0218 hours.

In addition to the ongoing criminal investigation. AST is conducting a comprehensive review of our initial response to this residence.

Update: The deceased has been positively identified by the State Medical Examiner’s Office as Amy Smith, 37 of Wasilla. On 1/2/18 an autopsy was conducted on Amy Smith and the results of the autopsy indicated the cause of death was homicide. At approximately 1600 on 1/2/2018, members of the “B” Detachment Criminal Suppression Unit arrested Anthony Smith, 38 of Wasilla, for Murder in the First Degree. Smith was remanded to the Mat-Su Pretrial facility where he will be held without bail. Investigation by Palmer GIU is ongoing. Amy Smith’s next of kin has been notified.

Original text: On 1/01/18 at 0454 hours, AST and Emergency Medical personal responded to a residence in the Big Lake area for CPR in progress on a 37 year old female. This case is currently being investigated by Palmer GIU.

AK18000442

Location: Wasilla

Type: Felony Eluding/Reckless Driving/Vehicle Theft 1st

Dispatch Text:

On 1-2-18 at about 2322 hours, the Alaska State Troopers observed a vehicle driving recklessly through the Wal Mart parking lot in Wasilla. Troopers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, however the vehicle failed to yield, running multiple stop signs and operating at a high rate of speed. The vehicle then left the roadway and came to a stop at the bottom of a hill. The driver, identified later as 25 year old Anchorage resident Nicholas Thomas, fled on foot. After a short foot pursuit, Troopers were able to take Thomas into custody. During the foot pursuit, a Trooper sustained minor injury.. He was taken to an area hospital where he was treated and released. Investigation revealed the vehicle Thomas was operating was reported stolen out of Anchorage. Thomas was arrested and remanded to Mat-Su Pretrial on charges of Vehicle Theft 1st, Two counts of Felony Eluding, and Reckless Driving, and held without bail. The investigation continues.

AK18000459

Location: Big Lake

Type: DUI/Refusal/Criminal Tresspass/Assault 4/Criminal Mischief 4

Dispatch Text:

On 1/3/18, at 0305 hours, State Troopers responded to a residence in Big Lake for a report that an unknown male had barged into the house, intoxicated, and was causing a disturbance. Investigation revealed that John B. Wilson, 54 yoa of Talkeetna, had crashed his vehicle nearby on Hollywood Road while under the influence, then walked to the home believing his fiancée was there and had unlawfully entered the residence without permission. While inside the residence he assaulted a female by placing her in fear of injury and had damaged property. After being arrested, Wilson refused to provide a sample of his breath for analysis and was additionally charged with Refusal. Wilson was remanded to Mat-Su Pretrial on the above 5 charges with bail set at $500 cash.

AK18000407

Location: Wasilla

Type: Warrant Arrest

Dispatch Text:

On 1/3/18 at 0430 hours Alaska State Troopers responded to a residence on Pioneer Peak Drive to locate Christopher Anderson age 27 of Wasilla who had an outstanding warrant for probation violation original charge of MICS 3. Anderson was arrested without incident and remanded to Mat-Su Pretrial where he was held on $20,000 bail.

AK18000527

Location: Palmer

Type: Stolen Vehicle

Dispatch Text:

On 01/03/2018 at 1211 hours, an individual walked into the Alaska State Trooper Post in Palmer to report his 1987 green Ford Ranger pickup was stolen from the side of the road near the Glenn Highway and Palmer Fishhook Road sometime between 1600 hours on 01/01/2018 and 1700 hours on 01/02/2018. He parked the vehicle on the side of the road after he ran out of fuel and the vehicle was gone when he attempted to retrieve it. Investigation is ongoing at this time.

Location: Palmer

Type: Theft

Dispatch Text:

On 12/10/2017, AST responded to a theft on Luke Street. The complainant stated someone had taken several tools and 20 Pieces of lumber from a tool shed sometime between Friday and Tuesday morning. The investigation is ongoing and the public is ask to contact Alaska State Trooper Dispatch at 352-5401 with any information.

AK17090638

Location: Big Lake / Houston

Type: Theft III

Dispatch Text:

On 12/26/2017 at approximately 11013 hours, the Alaska State Troopers received a report of a theft near Coghlan Cir Wasilla. Investigation revealed between 12/22/2017 – 12/26/2017 a gray Olympia flatbed trailer bearing AK plate #4646TF was stolen . Anyone with information regarding the theft is requested to contact the Palmer Alaska State Troopers at 907-745-2131.

AK18000499

Location: Wasilla

Type: Theft II, Criminal Mischief III, Vehicle Theft I & Criminal Trespass I

Dispatch Text:

On 1/3/2018 at approximately 1002 hours, the Alaska State Troopers received a report of a theft near the Parks Hwy Wasilla. Investigation revealed Levi Jacobs age 29 of Wasilla cut holes in the chain link fence causing damage estimated around $1,000.00 and broke into a trailer that was in storage stealing 8 aluminum wheels valued over $2,000.00. Investigation further revealed Jacob’s was driving a stolen red 2013 Polaris Ranger. Jacob’s was arrested for Theft II, Criminal Mischief III, Vehicle Theft I and Criminal Trespass I. Jacobs was transported and remanded into Mat-Su Pre-Trial where bail was set at $10,000.00.

AK18000682

Location: Wasilla

Type: Assault 4 DV

Dispatch Text:

On 1/4/18 at 0341 hours, Alaska State Troopers responded to a residence on Preston Ave for a 911 call. Investigation revealed that Michael Kruger age 36 of Wasilla had assaulted a household member. Kruger was arrested for Assault 4 DV and remanded to Mat- Su Pretrial where he was held without bail.

AK18000706

Location: Palmer

Type: Warrant Arrest

Dispatch Text:

On 01-03-2018 at approximately 1400 hours, Alaska State Troopers Judicial Services Officers in Palmer contacted Liana Charley, age 44 of Glennallen, at Mat-Su Pre-Trial. Investigation revealed that Liana Charley had a $500.00 outstanding warrant for her arrest (original charge: Criminal Mischief 4 degree). Charley was arrested and lodged in Mat Su Pretrial.