PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEFS: Aug. 17, 2017

What won’t they steal?

Alaska State Troopers (AST) continue an investigation into the Monday theft of a satellite dish in Wasilla.

According to AST dispatch, the complainant, who resides off Seldon Road, told police he was watching television when it lost the signal. Upon investigating, the complainant saw his dish had been stolen and discovered tracks leading back to Seldon Road.

Troopers report preliminary investigation led police to believe three individuals exited a vehicle, entered into the property through the woods and took the dish.

Big bear bust

JUNEAU — A 53-year old Pennsylvania man was fined $9,000 and forfeited two bears after pleading guilty to several charges stemming from an investigation by Alaska wildlife troopers in February of 2016.

According to Alaska State Trooper dispatch, Brian Schoenly obtained an Alaska resident fishing and hunting license in June of 2015 claiming he had been a resident since 2011. Troopers said Schoenly did not meet requirements to qualify for the privilege.

In September of 2015, troopers said Schoenly harvested a brown bear and a black bear while hunting in game management Unit 25 while claiming Alaska residency. They also said Schoenly harvested the brown bear without a guide, didn’t have proper locking tags for the brown bear, and was in unlawful possession of both.

Schoenly was originally charged with two counts of making a false statement on a fish and game application, one count of unsworn falsification, two counts of nonresident obtaining a big game tag, one count of nonresident hunting without a guide, and two counts of unlawful possession of a big game animal.

On July 31, 2017, Schoenly pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement on a fish and game application and two counts of resident not obtaining a big game tag. As part of a plea agreement, the prosecutor dismissed the additional charges.