Troopers hike, canoe for miles to nab fugitives

SKWENTNA — A pair of East Coast fugitives are in custody after allegedly burglarizing several cabins hear here.

Jeffrey Indellicaiti, 23, New Jersey, and Benjamin Cross, 21, Florida, were arrested Friday after a 45-minute standoff with Alaska State Troopers, according to an AST report released late Saturday.

The investigation began Wednesday when Talkeetna troopers responded to the Fish Lakes Creek area on a report that several cabins had been burglarized, the report says. Also, two men were seen escaping from the second-story window of one of the cabins.

A helicopter search of the area revealed that several cabins near Northwoods Lodge has been broken into and damaged, the report says. Also, several items were found missing, including a four-wheeler, a six-wheeler and several firearms. Despite the aerial search, no suspects were located on Wednesday.

Two days later, troopers were called back to the area in an Alaska Wildlife Troopers aircraft after an investigation showed where the suspects may be at, according to the report. Troopers used a canoe and hiked several miles to reach a cabin where Cross and Indellicaiti were located.

Troopers established verbal contact with the suspects, but they refused to exit the cabin, the report says. After about 45 minutes, they finally came out and were arrested, when it was learned the men were both wanted on extraditable no-bail warrants out of their home states.

They were transported to Mat-Su Pretrial Facility and charged with being fugitives from justice, first-degree burglary, second-degree theft, third-degree criminal mischief, misconduct involving weapons and vehicle theft. Although the AST report says both were wanted on no-bail warrants, the troopers report also says their bail has been set at $20,000 and that they cannot be released unless it is to a court-approved third part.

Contact Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.