POLICE BEAT: Nov. 22, 2017

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.

Wasilla Police Department

On November 10, 2017 at 1442 hours, Wasilla Police responded to a motor vehicle collision on Sun Mountain Avenue near Hermon Road.

On November 10, 2017 at 1614 hours, Wasilla Police conducted a traffic stop on W. Spruce Avenue for a moving violation. The driver was identified as Matthew Rich who was found to be driving without motor vehicle liability insurance. Rich was charge for the offense through the District Attorney's office.

On November 10, 2017 at 2043 hours, Wasilla Police assisted AST in locating a REDDI vehicle on the Parks Highway at S. Glenn Highway. The vehicle was located and stopped. The driver was identified as Ethan Kerr who was arrested on outstanding warrants.

On November 10, 2017 at 2143 hours, Wasilla Police were contacted when Christopher Weeks was observed shoplifting at Walmart after having been trespassed from the property. Weeks attempted to flee the area, but officers located and arrested him. The stolen property was recovered. Officers found drug paraphernalia on his person, which was seized for destruction. A record check revealed at least five open cases from 2017 in which Weeks had been released from with conditions of release. Weeks was arrested and charged with criminal trespassing in the 1st and 2nd degrees, theft in the 4th degree and five counts of violating his conditions of release. Weeks was held in lieu of $1500 bail with a court approved third party custodian requirement.

On November 11, 2017 at 1107 hours, Wasilla Police responded to the Target parking lot after receiving a report of individuals breaking into vehicles in the parking lot. On scene, officers made contact with the suspects when one of them provided a false name. It was later determined the individual was James Morgan who had a felony probation violation warrant on an original charge of theft in the 2nd degree. During the contact Christopher Sherk attempted to conceal Morgan's identity by providing false information about him. Sherk was arrested for hindering prosecution in the 1st degree and Morgan for the outstanding warrant. Both men were transported to the Mat-Su Pretrial facility.

On November 11, 2017 at 1804 hours, Wasilla Police responded to the area of Spruce Avenue and Wasilla Fishhook Road after having received a report of a male passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle running in the turn lane of Spruce Avenue with his foot on the brake. The driver was identified as Cullen Tisch who was subsequently arrested for DUI and transported to the Mat-Su Pretrial facility.

On November 11, 2017 at 2248 hours, Wasilla Police responded to Walmart after receiving a report of a theft. The case is currently under investigation.

On November 12, 2017 at 0305 hours, Wasilla Police conducted a traffic stop near Hurley Circle and E. Palmer Wasilla Highway for speeding. The driver was identified as Stirlyn Sangster who was arrested for DUI and transported to the Mat-Su Pretrial facility.

On November 10, 2017 at 2015 hours, Wasilla Police received a report of a lost wallet. The complainant reported having lost her wallet at Walmart. An investigation revealed a credit card that was in the wallet had been used at a gas station. The case is currently under investigation.

On November 12, 2017 at 2301 hours, Wasilla Police received a report of the fraudulent use of an access device had taken place at Carrs. The case is currently under investigation.

On November 13, 2017 at 0637 hours, Wasilla Police responded to a motor vehicle collision at the intersection of the Parks Highway and Knik Goose Bay Road.

On November 13, 2017 at 1030 hours, Wasilla Police responded to the Holiday gas station on N. Boundary Street after receiving a report that two individuals had been in the restroom for 45 minutes. On scene officers made contact with Christopher Humphreys who was found to be in possession of methamphetamines. Humphreys was charged with misconduct involving a controlled substance in the 4th degree through the District Attorney's office.

On November 13, 2017 at 1818 hours, Wasilla Police responded to O'Reilly Auto Parts on E. Parks Highway after receiving a report of a vehicle theft. The complainant reported his 1997 gray Jeep Wrangler had been stolen from the parking lot while he was shopping inside. The vehicle keys were not in the vehicle when it was stolen. The case is currently under investigation.

On November 13, 2017 at 2055 hours, Wasilla Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the Carrs parking lot for an equipment violation. The driver was identified as Trent Summerfield who was found to be in possession of heroin. Summerfield was issued a summons to appear in court for misconduct involving a controlled substance in the 4th degree.

On November 14, 2017 at 0912 hours, Wasilla Police received a report of a stolen vehicle. The complainant reported his vehicle had been stolen from the driveway of his residence on E. Tamarak Avenue sometime between midnight and 0800 hours on November 14th. The case is currently under investigation.

On November 14, 2017 at 1112 hours, Wasilla Police responded to the intersection of S. Roberts Street and E. Palmer Wasilla Highway for a motor vehicle collision.

On November 14, 2017 at 1455 hours, Wasilla Police responded to Carrs on E. Parks Highway after receiving multiple reports of the theft of tires out of the bed of a pickup truck in the parking lot. The tires were later located and Charles Sprague is being charged with theft in the 3'd degree through the District Attorney's office.

On November 15, 2017 at 0030 hours, Wasilla Police responded to a residence on N. Lacy Loop after receiving a report of a disturbance. Following an investigation, Michael Busby was arrested for unlawful contact in the 5th degree and violating domestic violence conditions of release. Busby was transported to the Mat-Su Pretrial facility where he was held without bail.

On November 15, 2017 at 1952 hours, Wasilla Police initiated a traffic stop near the intersection of Spruce Avenue and Rockside Road for speeding. The driver was identified as Matthew Rich who failed to yield to police lights and sirens and continued driving the vehicle to his friend's residence on N. Centurian Place. Rich was issued a citation for speeding and operating a vehicle without motor vehicle liability insurance. Rich was criminal charged with eluding in the 2nd degree and his vehicle was towed from the scene.

On November 16, 2017 at 0654 hours, Wasilla Police responded to the Wasilla Sports Complex on S. Clapp Street after receiving a report of a theft. The complainant reported nine propane bottles valued at $1,170 had been stolen. The case is currently under investigation.

On November 16, 2017 at 0721 hours, Wasilla Police received a report of criminal mischief. The complainant reported someone had come into the driveway of her residence on N. Lacy Loop and slit the two passenger side tires on her vehicle, leaving them flat. The case is currently under investigation.

On November 16, 2017 at 0822 hours, Wasilla Police responded to Mile 2 of Knik Goose Bay Road for a reported vehicle vs. moose collision.

On November 16, 2017 at 1029 hours, Wasilla Police responded to Sportsman's Warehouse for a shoplifter in custody. An investigation revealed Jeremy Janis had stolen $64.97 worth of merchandise. Janis was charged with theft in the 4th degree through the District Attorney's office.

On November 16, 2017 at 1147 hours, Wasilla Police responded to the area of N. Lucille Street and the Parks Highway for a motor vehicle collision.

On November 16, 2017 at 1215 hours, Wasilla Police responded to the Fred Meyer parking lot for a motor vehicle collision.

On November 16, 2017 at 1256 hours, Wasilla Police conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of the Parks Highway and Crusey Street for an equipment violation. The driver was identified as Charles Sprague. A record check revealed the truck had been reported stolen. Sprague was arrested for vehicle theft in the 1st degree and theft in the 2nd degree.

Alaska State Troopers

Location: Big Lake Type: DUI/Refusal Dispatch Text: On 11/19/2017 at approximately 2209 hours, Alaska State Troopers contacted a Ford Escape on Big Lake Road near Hollywood Road, Big Lake which was stopped in the middle of the roadway in the wrong lane of travel. Investigation revealed the driver, Chico Cruz, age 37 of Big Lake, was operating a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol. Cruz also refused to provide a breath sample. Cruz was arrested and transported to MATSU pretrial where he was booked on charges of DUI and Refusal and held on $500 bail.

Location: Wasilla Type: DUI Dispatch Text: On 11/20/2017, approximately 0215 hours, Alaska State Troopers discovered a red 1998 Jeep Cherokee in the ditch along the W Parks Highway at the intersection with S Ridgecrest Road in Wasilla. Investigation revealed 22 year old Noah C Humphrey of Wasilla was intoxicated while driving northbound on Parks Highway when he drove off the road after failing to negotiate a curve in the highway. No injuries or damage was sustained and Humphrey was remanded to MSPT where he was released OR. Humphrey was also cited for having an open container of alcohol in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Location: Big Lake Type: DUI Dispatch Text: On 11/20/17, at approximately 0100 hours, Alaska State Troopers contacted Jorell W. Zellweger, 36 yoa of Wasilla, driving his truck at the Big Lake North Shore state recreational area. An investigation revealed Zellweger was operating the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Zellweger was arrested for DUI and remanded and Mat-Su pre-trial to be released OR once sober.

Location: Wasilla Type: Theft III/Criminal Trespass IV Dispatch Text: On 11/18/2017 at approximately 1108 hours the Alaska State Troopers responded to a burglary in the area of Cormorant in Wasilla. Investigation revealed that a Toyo Oil Burning stove was taken from the property. The value of the stove is approximately $1400.00 Investigation Continues. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Alaska State Troopers at 745-2131 or Mat-Su Crime Stoppers at 745-3333 .

Location: Wasilla Type: Theft IV Dispatch Text: On 11/18/2017 at approximately 0548 hours the Alaska State Troopers responded to a report of theft in the area of Pioneer Peak in Wasilla. Investigation revealed that two female individuals fled from a taxi cab after refusing to pay the fare. The total amount owed was approximately $151.00. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Alaska State Troopers at 745-2131 or Mat-Su Crime Stoppers at 745-3333.

Location: Willow Type: Theft/Vehicular Assault Dispatch Text: On 11/20/17, at approximately 0030 hours, Alaska State Troopers responded to the vicinity of Mile 87 if the Parks Hwy for the report of a theft. Investigation revealed that suspects driving a silver colored Chevy S-10 Blazer or Ford Explorer stole a white Malamute/Wolf cross dog that has blue eyes, that answers to the name "Frosty" and has that name on his color, from the owner’s front yard. In their attempt to flee the scene the suspect vehicle drug the complainant for a short distance. Anyone having any knowledge of this crime is encouraged to call MATSU CrimeStoppers at 907-745-3333 or State Troopers at 352-5401. The investigation continues.

Location: Wasilla Type: Theft Dispatch Text: On 11/18/17 at approximately 1745 hours, Alaska State Troopers received a report of a theft at 4561 W Sprucewood Dr in Wasilla. Anyone with information regarding this theft is encouraged to contact the Alaska State Troopers. Investigation continues. Location: Wasilla Type: DUI Dispatch Text: On November 18, 2017 at about 0515 hours, Alaska State Troopers stopped on a disabled vehicle that was blocking the roadway near the intersection of Bogard Road and Engstrom Road. Investigation revealed the vehicle driver, Robert Green, 53 of Wasilla was operating the vehicle under the influence of alcoholic beverages. Green was arrested and remanded to Mat-Su Pretrial.

Location: Big Lake Type: Theft II/Fraudulent Use of an Access Device Dispatch Text: On 11/15/2017 at approximately 1109 hours, an employee of Ficklin Construction contacted the Alaska State Troopers to report a theft. Investigation revealed Johnny Raymond Hanifen, age 40 of Big Lake who was a former employee of Ficklin Construction had been making fraudulent charges on the business’ account. Charges of Theft II and Fraudulent Use of an Access Device X 32 are being forwarded to the Palmer District Attorney’s Office.

Location: Talkeetna Type: Criminal Mischief 4th, Interfere with Report of Domestic Violence Crime, Harassment 2nd Dispatch Text: On 11/16/2017 at approximately 2129 hours, Alaska State Troopers responded to a residence on Woodpecker Avenue in Talkeetna for a reported disturbance. An investigation revealed Ginger Lou Winter, age 52 of Talkeetna intentionally damaged property of another while insulting and taunting the individual. Winter then damaged the telephone while that person was calling 911 to report the incident. Winter was arrested for the domestic violence crimes of Interfere with the Report of a Domestic Violence Crime and Criminal Mischief 4th, as well as the non DV crime of Harassment 2nd. She was transported and remanded to the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility in Palmer. Location: Chitina Type: DUI

Dispatch Text: On 11/16/17 at approximately 2301 hours, Glennallen AST conducted a traffic stop on a dark colored Ford F150 near mile 1.5 Village road in the village of Chitina for an equipment violation. AST investigation revealed the driver Justin Kinzer, age 36 was driving the vehicle while under the influence of alcoholic beverages. Justin was placed under arrest and transported to Glennallen AST post. Alcohol is a factor in the case.

Location: Wasilla Type: Warrant Arrest Dispatch Text: On 11/17/17 at approximately 0101 hours, Alaska State Troopers conducted a traffic stop on a 2006 Red Nissan 4 door for an equipment violation. Investigation revealed the passenger Nathaniel Sofianos, age 28, of Wasilla had an outstanding warrant out for his arrest. He was arrested, transported and remanded to MSPT where his bail was set at no bail.