Valley elementary schools on alert regarding suspicious vehicle

WASILLA — Reports of a suspicious vehicle around schools have local law enforcement agencies and elementary school administrators increasing their vigilance around students traveling to and from school.

Following a report of a tall, elderly woman with graying or white hair driving a red Dodge Durango approaching students near Knik-Goose Bay earlier in April, Big Lake Elementary families were notified of a similarly suspicious circumstance on Monday.

“The person was contacting students at bus stops and so all of our schools just have been aware that this is something to look for and we’ve been working with our contractor First Student also they are also aware of the situation,” said Mat-Su Borough School District Public Information Officer Jillian Morrissey. “Administration is monitoring this person of interest and is working with law enforcement, Wasilla Police Department and the Alaska State Troopers on it. Our schools are all aware of this situation and Big Lake did reach out to families yesterday of an incident at schools.”

However, after vetting the tip, AST has determined that the suspect description seen in Facebook posts may be inaccurate.

“With that tip, the complaint posted a picture of a woman on social media without verifying if she was involved. Troopers have since vetted that tip and have determined that the woman in the photo we have seen posted on social media is not involved,” wrote Alaska State Trooper Public Information Officer Gretchen Weiss-Brooks. “The picture of the Durango that is circulating on Facebook since the original incident is of someone who lives in the area of the original call. WPD has contacted her and has also determined that she/her vehicle is not involved.”

Wasilla Police Department sponsors safety resource officers at Wasilla High School, Houston Jr./Sr. High and Colony High School and the Palmer Police Department has an SRO at Palmer High. AST PIO Tim DeSpain wrote that troopers and local police departments are increasing patrols as a precaution and communicating with MSBSD safety officers and transportation contractors.

“We have officers that are around if we see a vehicle that looks like it seems to be near a school, we’re obviously running the plate and trying to figure out who they might be,” said Wasilla Police Department PIO Amanda Graham. “We haven’t had any more within the city limits but they have been happening outside so the troopers have been responding to them.”

Only two reports have been made about the red Dodge Durango approaching students thus far, but anyone with information about the suspect is encouraged to call the WPD Dispatch number at 352-4501.

“If they see suspicious vehicles around schools or if their child comes home and reports to them that somebody was acting weird, that stranger danger conversation that we always recommend parents have and they can call into dispatch,” said Graham. “Obviously if it’s an emergency, if a child is on the road and somebody approaches them, 911 is always appropriate.”

The Alaska State Troopers have assigned the Criminal Suppression Unit to attempt to identify the suspect.

“Currently, nothing reported in either instance can be classified as criminal,” wrote DeSpain. “While many are calling these events ‘attempted kidnapping’ or ‘attempted abduction’; by the legal standard that is not the case currently. The similarity of reported incidents is concerning, and troopers are putting a directed effort into figuring out who this person is and what their intentions are.”