Wolsterman back in custody after cutting off ankle monitor

PALMER — Acting on an anonymous tip, Alaska State Troopers said they arrested James Wolsterman, 40, of Palmer at a residence near Soapstone Road at 9:30 p.m., April 27.

Wolsterman was wanted on an outstanding felony warrant for violating conditions of his release on burglary and theft charges resulting from an alleged break-in on Sulatna Bay in January.

Wolsterman and Dennis Pickens, 30, were arrested Jan. 23 following a traffic stop on Seldon Road.

Troopers issued a second warrant for Wolsterman’s arrest April 18 after he cut off his ankle monitor while out on bail on those January charges.

The January break-in was caught on surveillance video by the homeowner, which shows a man, allegedly Wolsterman, kicking the front door nine times after trying the doorknob “multiple times,” according to an affidavit filed in the case.

“One minute after knocking on the door, Wolsterman kicked the front door nine times in an attempt to gain access to the residence,” the affidavit says.

He eventually gained entrance into the house through a balcony door connected to the master bedroom. He’s seen on the video stopping to grab a laptop computer off a kitchen counter, then he goes out of sight of the cameras.

After circulating photos of Woslterman and Pickens, a tip led troopers to a vehicle they were in. Palmer troopers interviewed the men, the affidavit says.

“Wolsterman was showed a screenshot photo of himself at the victim’s residence and Wolsterman just hung his head,” the affidavit says, adding that he “denied breaking into any houses.”

Pickens, however, “stated that he has known Wolsterman for one year,” the affidavit says. “Pickens stated Wolsterman drives him around because Pickens has seizures. Pickens admitted to going to the residence … and stated he thought it was Wolsterman’s mother’s house. Pickens stated he did not go inside the house with Wolsterman because he didn’t want to be rude to Wolsterman’s mother.”

Both men were charged with burglary and theft.

Wolsterman was taken into custody again Saturday near Palmer and transported to Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility, where he was held on $10,000 bail plus court appointed third party.

His case was scheduled for arraignment Monday morning.