Police Beat: March 30, 2008

ALaska State Troopers

DUI

March 19, 11:49 p.m.: The South-Central DUI Enforcement Team stopped a 1998 Ford Ranger on Lakeview Drive in Wasilla for stopping in the roadway. Jimmy Griffith, 56, of Wasilla was found to be operating the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and with a revoked driver license. Further investigation showed Griffith was twice convicted of DUI within the past 10 years. Griffith was remanded to the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility and held on a bail of $5,000 cash and a court-approved, third-party on the felony DUI and driving while his license is revoked charges. The vehicle was impounded.

March 21, 1:30 a.m.: The South-Central DUI Enforcement Team stopped a 1997 Ford Ranger near the intersection of Snowshoe and Trapline in Wasilla for an equipment violation. Tracey K. Wooden, 43, of Wasilla was alleged to be operating the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. An infant was a passenger in the vehicle. Wooden was arrested and remanded to the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility and held on a bail of $750 on charges of DUI and endangering the welfare of a child I. Custody of the child and vehicle were given to a sober adult relative.

March 22, 4:34 a.m.: The South-Central DUI Enforcement Team contacted Stephen James Viotto, 24, of Chugiak after the vehicle he was operating was stopped at the rear of the Tesoro gas station located on the Parks Highway near the Palmer-Wasilla Highway in Wasilla, in response to a REDDI report. Viotto was arrested for driving under the influence and remanded to the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility on a $500 bail.

March 22, 1:04 a.m.: The South-Central DUI Enforcement Team contacted Timothy James Walker, 31, of Wasilla after the vehicle he was operating was stopped on Luke Street near the Palmer-Wasilla Highway in Wasilla for an equipment violation. Walker was arrested for driving under the influence and was remanded to the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility where he was later released on his own recognizance.

March 21, 11:41 p.m.: The South Central DUI Enforcement Team stopped a vehicle near the intersection of Big Lake Road and South Park Drive in Big Lake for an equipment violation. Forrest J. Kaznakoff, 28, of Houston was arrested for driving under the influence and remanded to the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility on a $300 bail.

March 23, 4:55 a.m.: The South-Central DUI Enforcement Team stopped a 1992 Ford Explorer near the intersection of the Parks Highway and Hyer Road in Wasilla after it was reported as a REDDI vehicle. Sara Thorpe, 23, of Girdwood was arrested on the charge of driving under the influence, remanded to the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility, and held on a bail of $2,500. The vehicle was released to a sober adult.

March 23, 3:28 a.m.: The South Central DUI Enforcement Team stopped a vehicle for erratic driving as it pulled into the driveway to a Tamarak Drive residence in Wasilla. Lisa M. Johnson, 24, of Wasilla was arrested for driving under the influence. Johnson was remanded to the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility where she was held on a $1,000 bail.

March 22, 12:50 a.m.: Troopers stopped a vehicle near the Palmer-Wasilla Highway and Betts in Wasilla for a moving violation. David E. Hovey, 60, of Wyoming was arrested for DUI and remanded to Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility where he was held on $1,000 bail.

ASSAULT

March 20, 11:36 p.m.: Troopers responded to a domestic disturbance on Calder Road in Wasilla. Steve Angasan, 19, of Wasilla allegedly assaulted his girlfriend while at their residence and took the phone from his girlfriend when she tried to call troopers. Angasan was arrested and booked at the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility with no bail on the charges of assault IV and interfering with report of a domestic violence.

WARRANT ARREST

March 20, 10:30 p.m.: Troopers arrested Preston Pickett, 23, of Wasilla at a residence on Roy Road in Wasilla. Pickett was contacted during a service of court papers. Pickett had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear at a change of plea hearing for the original charge of driving under the influence and failure to give immediate notice of a collision. Pickett was transported to the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility where he was remanded. Bail was $1,500.

DWLCSR / NVOL

March 22, 12:30 a.m.: Troopers stopped a vehicle near Fairview Loop and Marble Way in Wasilla after it was reported as a REDDI. Cynthia Ramirez, 21, of Wasilla was found to be operating the vehicle with an expired instructional permit and without a licensed driver in the vehicle. Ramirez was not driving under the influence. Ramirez was issued a summons to appear in court at a later date and released from the scene.

March 22, 10:18 p.m.: The South-Central DUI Enforcement Team contacted Charlie Franklin Hearon, 20, of Palmer after the vehicle he was operating was stopped on the Parks Highway near Crusey in Wasilla for a moving violation. Hearon was issued a summons to appear in the Palmer Court for the charge of no valid operator license.

March 23, 3:28 a.m.: The South-Central DUI Enforcement Team stopped a 2004 GMC Trailblazer near the intersection of Bogard Road and Catalina Drive in Wasilla for a moving violation. Samson Costigan, 29, of Fort Richardson was issued a summons to appear in the Palmer Court for driving while his license is suspended.

March 23, 3:45 a.m.: Troopers stopped 1989 Plymouth Colt near Glenwood and the Palmer-Wasilla Highway. John Sledge, 20, of Wasilla was issued a summons for minor operating after consuming alcohol and a summons for minor consuming alcohol. Because Sledge has never possessed a valid license he was issued a third summons for no valid operator license. Sledge was also given a citation for no proof of insurance. Sledge was released at the scene.

March 22, 11:13 p.m.: Troopers stopped a vehicle at Greentree and Bogard Road in Wasilla for a traffic violation. Dana Wilson, 44, of Wasilla was found to be operating the vehicle with his license suspended. Wilson was issued a summons to appear in court at a later date and released from the scene.

March 23, 6:50 p.m.: Troopers conducted a traffic stop on a 1997 Ford F-150 near Mile 6 of theTalkeenta Spur Road for speeding. Garrick Bowely, 18, Talkeenta was issued a summons to appear in court for no valid operator license and two traffic citations. The vehicle was released to a licensed driver.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

March 21, 8:20 p.m.: Troopers responded to the Three Bears Shopping Center at Mile 48.5 of the Parks Highway in Wasilla in reference to a disturbance. Nick Tandecki, 18, of Wasilla allegedly entered Three Bears and intentionally damaged merchandise valued at $20.86. Tandecki was also found to have outstanding warrants for his arrest for failure to appear on the original charges of driving without a valid driver license and minor consuming alcohol. Tandecki was arrested on scene and remanded to the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility, where he was held on $1,500 bail and a court-approved third party.

HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

MICS

March 19: Police were dispatched to Houston Middle School for the report of a juvenile who brought marijuana to school. Investigation revealed a male sixth-grader brought 5.5 grams of marijuana to school in a plastic zipper bag. The student was expelled from school and charges of misconduct involving a controlled substance IV are being forwarded to Palmer Juvenile Intake Facility. The juvenile was released to his parents.