Samaritan chases off thieves

PALMER — They managed to get into the outdoor ice chest, but Alaska State Troopers say a pair of would-be burglars were chased off by a good Samaritan before they could break into a Hatcher Pass-area gas station Saturday.

According to a troopers press statement, the burglary was reported at 2:35 a.m. at Turner Store, the convenience store near the corner of Palmer-Fishhook and Wasilla-Fishhook roads.

“At least two suspects gained forced entry to an outdoor ice chest stealing an undetermined amount of ice. They also attempted to gain forced entry into the building, but were interrupted by the complainant, a good Samaritan, who was in the area driving by,” according to troopers, who estimated the damage to the building at $150.

They say the pickup the two were in, a white 1996 Toyota, had been stolen earlier that evening from a home near Bogard Road and Caribou Street.