POLICE BEAT: Sept. 14, 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.

Alaska State Troopers

Location: Palmer/Butte

Type: DV Assault 4 and DV Reckless Endangerment

Dispatch Text: On 9/13/2017, approximately 2125 hours, Alaska State Troopers responded to a residence near mile 10 of the Old Glenn Highway in Palmer/Butte for a reported assault in progress. Investigation revealed 37 year old Todd D. A. Hicks of Palmer assaulted one family member and placed another in jeopardy of possible serious physical injury. Hicks was arrested at the scene without incident and remanded to MSPT where he was held without bail.

Location: Wasilla

Type: Reckless Driving

Dispatch Text: On 9/10/2017, approximately 2045 hours, Alaska State Troopers responded to a reported ATV complaint/disturbance near Wasilla Fishhook Road and Seldon Road in Wasilla. Investigation revealed a 16-year-old Wasilla boy was operating his orange & black 2008 Yamaha YZF 450 4-wheeler on Seldon Road, cutting off a passenger car, nearly causing an accident. The boy was issued a criminal citation for Reckless Driving and released at the scene with a promise to appear in court at a later date. The ATV was towed from the scene.

Location: Wasilla

Type: Warrant Arrest

Dispatch Text: On 9/10/2017, approximately 2220 hours, Alaska State Troopers conducted a security patrol of Everette's Lounge on Bogard Road in Wasilla. During this patrol, Troopers contacted 54 year old Mark L Tankersley of Wasilla. Investigation revealed Tankersley had one outstanding arrest warrant in the amount of $250 cash only for FTA arraignment on the original charge of Misdemeanor DUI. Tankersley was arrested at the scene without incident and remanded to MSPT where he was held on the warrant bail.

Location: Willow

Type: Probation Violation

Dispatch Text: On 9/11/2017, approximately 0125 hours, Alaska State Troopers stopped a white 2006 GMC pick-up truck near mile 70 of the Parks Highway, Willow, for equipment violations and suspicious behavior. Investigation revealed one vehicle occupant, Timothy R. Fyffe of Anchorage, was in violation of conditions of his probation. Fyffe was arrested at the scene without incident and remanded to MSPT where he was held without bail.

Location: Palmer

Type: MVC-Injury

Dispatch Text: On 9/5/2017, approximately 1815 hours, Alaska State Troopers responded to a three vehicle collision on S Glenn highway at the intersection with Inner Springer Loop in Palmer. Investigation revealed 35 year old Donny L. Paik of Palmer was operating a white 2000 Honda Accord when he was stopped facing northbound, waiting to turn left onto E Cienna Avenue. 46 year old Jessica A Cook, also of Palmer, was operating a blue 2016 Subaru, and was stopped immediately behind the Honda. 44 year old Donald J Yancey, also of Palmer, was driving northbound in a white 2011 Chevrolet Express van, when he failed to stop for the other two stopped vehicles. The Express van struck the rear of the Subaru, which in turn struck the rear of the Honda. Cook sustained minor injuries in the collision and was transported to a local hospital for treatment and later released. The Subaru and Express van both appeared totaled while the Honda sustained approximately $1500 damage. Yancey was cited at the scene and released.

Location: Wasilla

Type: Eluding 1st Degree/ Reckless Driving/ Fugitive From Justice

Dispatch Text: On 09/14/2017 at approximately 0335 hours, AST dispatch advised a caller was reporting that people on an ATV and dirtbike were outside her residence and later entered her garage at a residence on Grantham Road in Wasilla. Troopers responded and observed a dirt bike and an ATV traveling on the Palmer Wasilla Hwy near Shenandoah Drive. The dirt bike was traveling at a high rate of speed with no headlights in the dark. Troopers pursued the dirt bike but lost sight. The dirt bike was later found wrecked and a male was found behind the residence hiding in vegetation He was identified as Benjamin Sparrow, age 25 of Chugiak, and confirmed as the driver. A records search for Sparrow reveals he has an Interpol warrant out of Germany for Robbery and Assault. Additionally, Sparrow has no driver’s license. The ATV involved with the original call was stopped and questioned. Both the ATV and dirt bike were impounded. Sparrow was arrested for Fail to Stop at the Direction of a Peace officer in the first degree, Reckless Driving and Fugitive from Justice. A burglary investigation is still ongoing.

Location: Wasilla

Type: Criminal Mischief 3rd, Assault 4th(2x), Reckless Endangerment (4x)

Dispatch Text: On 9/12/2017 at approximately 2255 hours, AST responded to a residence down Knik Goose Bay Road outside of Wasilla for a report of an active disturbance. An investigation revealed Jeremiah W. Hoover, 37 YOA of Wasilla, had assaulted family members, caused reckless endangerment, and had smashed a family members vehicle with a semi-truck. Hoover was arrested for Criminal Mischief in the 3rd, Assault in the Fourth, and Reckless Endangerment. Hoover was remanded into custody at Matsu Pretrial. No bail was set.

Location: Palmer

Type: DUI

Dispatch Text: On 09/12/2017 at approximately 1900 hours, Troopers arrived on Bodenburg Loop near the Old Glenn Hwy after responding to a REDDI report about a vehicle driving dangerously and running into the ditch. Upon arrival, Troopers contacted Joshua Placzek, age 31 of Palmer, walking away from the vehicle. Investigation reveals Placzek was driving the vehicle while intoxicated when it ran into the ditch. Placzek was arrested and remanded to Mat Su Pre-trial for DUI. He is also being held for a parole and probation violation for DUI on original charges of MICS 4 and MIW 5.