Would-be burglars miss target in Wasilla

WASILLA -- Alaska State Troopers are investigating a burglary attempt at a Wasilla business in which the suspect or suspects through a rock through the glass front door to gain entry.

A video store in a strip mall complex at Lucille Drive and Seldon Drive was vandalized the night of Dec. 29 or early morning of Dec. 30, according to troopers. Whoever broke in caused about $500 in damage to the store.

However, Trooper Vance Peronto, who responded to the incident, said nothing was stolen.

"They were looking for something and didn't find it," he said. "They were looking for valuables. Let's just say they weren't after 'The Matrix Revolutions.'"

Peronto declined to reveal what troopers consider the target of the break-in because it might jeopardize the investigation.

He said it's unlikely the case is related to recent break-ins at two businesses in a small complex near Nelson Avenue and Lucille Street.

Large rocks were thrown through glass windows in that incident, but nothing was taken.

"There's nothing tying anything together," Peronto said.

He tried to lift fingerprints from inside the video store but said surfaces were not conducive to yielding prints.

The store did not have an alarm system, Peronto said, adding the owner is considering putting surveillance cameras outside the shop. Troopers recently used images from an indoor video camera to arrest two of three men believed responsible for burglarizing a Houston residence.

Anyone with information about the video store break-in is encouraged to call Palmer troopers at 745-2131 or contact Mat-Su Crime Stoppers at 745-3333.