Alaska Department Of Public Safety,State Troopers Public Information Office

Alaska State Troopers Press Release of Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Any charges reported in these press releases are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

A Detachment

• AK24126525

  Location: Sterling Highway

  Type: Vehicle Collision

  Dispatch Text:

  On December 17, 2024, around 12:30 am, the Alaska State Troopers were notified by a motorist that an adult male was walking on the Sterling Highway near mile 55 and wandering into traffic. An Alaska State Trooper and Court Services Officer were in the area and located the adult male showing signs of hypothermia. The adult male informed Troopers that he had crashed his Hyundai sedan into the Kenai River and had self-extricated himself from the vehicle. The man was taken to a Soldotna area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. His sedan was located near the Russian River ferry boat launch, which was partially submerged. The vehicle was removed from the river. The cause of the car entering the Kenai River remains under investigation.

  Posted on 12/18/2024 10:48:28 AM by DPS\ajmcdaniel

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B Detachment

• AK24127050

  Location: Wasilla

  Type: Terroristic Threat Investigation

  Dispatch Text:

  On December 18, 2024, at 12:30 pm, the Alaska State Troopers received a report from staff at Teeland Middle School that a student at the school had made threats to conduct an active shooter event. The Alaska State Troopers responded and investigated the report and referred criminal charges to the Alaska Division of Juvenile Justice. The investigation is ongoing.

  Posted on 12/18/2024 6:37:00 PM by DPS\ajmcdaniel

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C Detachment ...No news reported.

D Detachment

• AK24124783

  Location: Fairbanks

  Type: WARRANT ARREST

  Dispatch Text:

  On 12/17/2024 Troopers received a report that Rachel Yaska caused damage to a vehicle with another vehicle and repeated strikes with a baseball bat near the area of Chena Pump Rd. Troopers contacted Rachel, who was ultimately arrested for several outstanding warrants. 

  Posted on 12/18/2024 12:46:55 AM by DPS\njsorgenfrey

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• AK24127125

  Location: Fairbanks

  Type: Theft, Non-vehicle

  Dispatch Text:

  On December 18, 2024, at approximately 1415 hours, AST received a report of an external fuel tank that was stolen from the area of Chena Point Ave around a week ago. The tank was taken out of a pickup truck bed. The tank is all white with a red fuel pump. The investigation is ongoing.

  Posted on 12/18/2024 3:46:04 PM by DPS\pptesta

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E Detachment ...No news reported.

Headquarters ...No news reported.

AK Wildlife Troopers ...No news reported.

AK Bureau of Investigation

• AK24122548

  Location: Quinhagak

  Type: Sexual Assault

  Dispatch Text:

  On December 4, 2024, the Alaska State Troopers received a report that a teenage juvenile in Quinhagak had potentially been sexually assaulted. The Alaska Bureau of Investigation’s Western Major Crimes Unit began an investigation into the allegations. After a thorough investigation, Troopers determined that 20-year-old Quinhagak resident John Lupie had sexually abused the juvenile. On December 17, 2024, he was arrested for Sexual Assault in the First Degree and remanded to Yukon Kuskokwim Correctional Center.

  Posted on 12/6/2024 3:52:31 PM by DPS\tjsmith3 . Edited on 12/18/2024 9:48:21 AM by DPS\ajmcdaniel

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AK Bureau of Highway Patrol ...No news reported.

AK Bureau of Judicial Services ...No news reported.

AK Div of Fire and Life Safety ...No news reported.