Southcentral SWAT deployed twice to Mat-Su in 2 days

It’s been a busy week for the people working at Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) here in Southcentral Alaska as they were called in to assist the Alaska State Troopers (AST) in two separate call this week.

On February 24, at approximately 1253 hours, AST responded to an address on Culk Circle in Palmer at the request of Palmer Pretrial Enforcement Division (PED) after reporting that Jessie Hill, age 41 of Palmer, had cut his ankle monitor and was failing to exit his camper and barricaded himself inside.

Southcentral SWAT was activated and responded, eventually getting Hill to exit the camper. He was arrested for Escape III and VCOR without incident, and has been remanded to the custody of Mat-Su Pretrial and held without bail.

In the morning hours of February 26, 2025, AST received a report that Chris Tovez, age 32 of Wasilla and with an outstanding felony warrant, and Denali Laframboise, age 23 of Wasilla, had two misdemeanor warrants were staying at a residence in Wasilla.

AST on patrol responded to the location to make contact at the front door. However, upon their arrival, both individuals barricaded themselves inside the residence. South Central SWAT was activated and responded to the scene, and both subjects were taken into custody without further incident and remanded to Mat-Su Pretrial.

SWAT is often called in when certain specialized situations demand continued proficiency and unique equipment to ensure the safest resolution for all, including the suspect. Southcentral SWAT is manned by the Anchorage Police Department, meeting the challenge by selecting a group of sworn officers and, as a team, given them specialized initial and continued training, and provided them with unique equipment.