Valley crime and courts briefs

Police seize 69 pot plants

PALMER -- A 34-year-old Wasilla man was arrested Dec. 30 and jailed in lieu of $20,000 bail after the Mat-Su Drug Team raided an alleged commercial marijuana grow operation in his home.

Jason Lindfors was charged with four counts of misconduct involving a controlled substance in the fourth degree and lodged at Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility, Alaska State Troopers said.

Also arrested was Glenn Irby, 39, of Wasilla, who troopers described as an "associate" of Lindfors. Irby was taken to Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility on a $1,000 warrant.

The Mat-Su Drug Team executed a search warrant at Lindfors' residence and found 69 budding marijuana plants, marijuana growing equipment, weight scales and drug paraphernalia, troopers said.

The drug team is comprised of investigators from the Alaska Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Enforcement, and the Wasilla and Palmer police departments.

Crash kills Valley man

A 30-year-old Trapper Creek man died Monday evening when the car he was driving struck a moose at Mile 105 Parks Highway, Alaska State Troopers said.

John J. High hit the moose about 6:25 p.m. Troopers said the impact caused the roof of his vehicle to collapse. High, who was trapped inside the car, was treated by emergency medical personnel but died at the scene about 7:30 p.m., according to troopers.

High was reportedly headed home from a construction job in Wasilla when the accident occurred. More than 150 moose have been killed by collisions with vehicles this winter in the Mat-Su Borough.

Palmer man faces multiple charges

PALMER -- A Palmer resident was jailed at Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility in lieu of $12,500 bail after being arrested Jan. 1 on numerous charges.

Palmer police arrested Jeffrey L. Lason, 37, after responding to a report of a vehicle in the ditch.

He was subsequently charged with driving under the influence, refusal to submit to a chemical test, driving while license revoked, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and for an outstanding warrant for failure to comply with conditions of probation, Palmer police said.

Home break-in reported

Cash, electronic equipment and other property with a combined value of $2,000 was stolen from a home on Horizon Drive sometime Jan. 1, Alaska State Troopers said.

Someone forced their way into the residence between 7 pm. and 10 p.m., according to troopers. The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information about the break-in is encouraged to call Palmer troopers at 745-2131 or Mat-Su Crime Stoppers at 745-3333.

Holiday DUI arrests increase

Alaska State Troopers made more arrests for driving under the influence during the recent Christmas and New Year's holiday than during the same period a year earlier.

Sixty-seven arrests were recorded statewide from Dec. 19, 2003, to Jan. 4, trooper spokesman Greg Wilkinson said. That was up from 34 the prior year.

In the Mat-Su, one felony and 14 misdemeanor DUI arrests were made.

The arrests were made only after "legitimate traffic stops" for driving infractions or equipment violations, he said. Wilkinson said troopers generally noticed more designated drivers on the roads during the recent holiday period.

"Although there are still drivers who choose to take the risk and drive after drinking, we think that a lot of people are getting the message that it's just not worth it," said Col. Julia Grimes, state trooper director. "We hope that people who made the extra effort during the holidays will continue the practice of not drinking and driving."