Alaska State Troopers Press Release of Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Any charges reported in these press releases are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
A Detachment
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AK24119575
Location: SoldotnaType: Welfare Check/DUIDispatch Text:
On 11/25/24 at 1100 hours, Alaska State Troopers responded to a residence off Echo Lake Rd. in Soldotna for a welfare check. While on scene, Geoffrey Kellen Haase, 37 of Soldotna, drove up and was observed to show signs of intoxication. Haase was subsequently arrested for Driving Under the Influence and remanded at Wildwood pretrial with a $500 bail.
Posted on 12/3/2024 9:49:14 AM by DPS\rtennis
B Detachment
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AK24121930
Location: WasillaType: Stolen vehicleDispatch Text:
On 12/3/2024 AST responded to the area of Church Rd and Seldon Rd in reference to a vehicle theft that just occurred. The investigation showed Richard Weber age 35 of Wasilla stole a truck at the Country Valley store and fled the area in it. Richard was placed under arrest and remanded to Matsu Pretrial where he was charged with vehicle theft in the 1st degree, theft in the second degree and violation of conditions of release with no bail.
Posted on 12/3/2024 12:48:10 PM by DPS\kchaley
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AK24121992
Location: WasillaType: Warrant arrestDispatch Text:
On 12/3/2024 AST responded to an address off of Parks Hwy in Wasilla for a warrant service. Wilfred Schieffler age 53 of Wasilla was placed under arrest and remanded to Matsu Pretrial for FTA delinquent of a minor with a $250 bail.
Posted on 12/3/2024 4:05:45 PM by DPS\kchaley
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AK24121107
Location: SuttonType: Structure Fire - Death InvestigationDispatch Text:
Update: The two deceased individuals are identified as Stephani Torgessen, age 43, of Ketchikan, and Dan Winters, age 66, of Butte, Alaska. Next of kin have been notified.
On November 30, 2024, at 6:22am, Alaska State Troopers in Palmer responded to a report of a structure fire in Sutton. AST arrived on the scene, and the structure was fully engulfed. Sutton Fire and EMS responded and extinguished the fire. Fire personnel located the remains of two individuals inside the burned structure. Alaska State Fire Marshals responded and conducted a scene investigation. The State Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene and took possession of the remains for autopsy and positive identification. The Investigation is ongoing.
Posted on 11/30/2024 5:59:22 PM by DPS\tjdespain . Edited on 12/3/2024 3:31:25 PM by DPS\tjdespain
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AK24121616
Location: PalmerType: MIW/ Criminal mischiefDispatch Text:
On 12/2/2024 AST responded to a residence of Steven in Palmer in reference to a misuse involving a weapon. The investigation showed that on 11/29/2024 Timothy Ritala, age 26 of Wasilla fired a shotgun from his second-floor apartment through his floor into the first floor of his apartment. The round caused damaged to the unit below celling and front window. Charges for MIW 2 and felony criminal mischief have been sent to the District Attorney to request an arrest warrant.
Posted on 12/3/2024 8:49:17 AM by DPS\kchaley
C Detachment
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AK24120935
Location: StebbinsType: Assault - Non DV [A13N]Dispatch Text:
On 11/29/2024 at approximately 14:49 hours, Alaska State Troopers received a report of an assault in the village of Stebbins. The investigation is ongoing.
Posted on 12/3/2024 11:17:43 AM by DPS\kmrockwell
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AK24120987
Location: SelawikType: Theft - Vehicle [THEV]Dispatch Text:
On 11/29/2024 at approximately 15:12 hours, Alaska State Troopers received a report of a vehicle theft in the village of Selawik. A black 2001 Polaris Super Sport snow machine was stolen from the "Vaccuum Building" at the city's water and sewer plant. It was found the next day, wrecked on the Selawik River. It is valued at $1,500.00. There are currently no suspects, leads, or witnesses. This case is closed pending any further investigatory leads.
Posted on 12/3/2024 11:18:20 AM by DPS\kmrockwell
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AK24121015
Location: KodiakType: Traffic [TRAF]Dispatch Text:
On 11/29/2024 at approximately 19:54 hours, Alaska State Troopers followed a vehicle in Kodiak known to be operated by a person whose license is revoked. Investigation resulted in the arrest of 52 YOA Dwayne Gatter of Chiniak for DWLR and VCOR.
Posted on 12/3/2024 11:18:56 AM by DPS\kmrockwell
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AK24121128
Location: PerryvilleType: Assault - DV [A13D]Dispatch Text:
On 11/30/2024 at approximately 10:35 hours, Alaska State Troopers received a report of an assault in Perryville. The investigation is ongoing.
Posted on 12/3/2024 11:19:20 AM by DPS\kmrockwell
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AK24121339
Location: StebbinsType: Liquor Laws [LIQU]Dispatch Text:
On 12/01/2024 at approximately 11:45 hours, Alaska State Troopers received a report of a person in violation of liquor laws. The investigation is ongoing.
Posted on 12/3/2024 11:19:44 AM by DPS\kmrockwell
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AK24121372
Location: StebbinsType: Violate Conditions [VIOL]Dispatch Text:
On 12/01/2024 at approximately 14:00 hours, Alaska State Troopers received a report of a person violating their conditions of release. The investigation continues.
Posted on 12/3/2024 11:20:15 AM by DPS\kmrockwell
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AK24121409
Location: Little DiomedeType: Disturbance [DIST]Dispatch Text:
On 12/01/2024 at approximately 16:27 hours, Alaska State Troopers received a report of a disturbance in Little Diomede. No crime was articulated and OIC was notified. Case closed.
Posted on 12/3/2024 11:20:49 AM by DPS\kmrockwell
D Detachment
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AK24121480
Location: FairbanksType: MVC-FatalDispatch Text:
Update: The deceased male driver and sole occupant of the Jeep is identified as Daniel Dowhitt, age 38*, of Fairbanks. Next of kin has been notified.
Update: The deceased female is identified as Aditi Subramanian, age 27, of Atlanta, Georgia. Aditi was a passenger in the Toyota Highlander. Next of kin has been notified.
On 12/1/2024 at 1812 hours, AST began receiving multiple 911 calls of a head-on collision in the area of Chena Hot Springs Road and Esro Road in Fairbanks. Initial reports indicate three vehicles were involved, and occupants of all three vehicles sustained injuries. A male and female were pronounced deceased on the scene. Seven additional people were transported to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital with serious injuries. 2 of those people have been transported to Anchorage via Life-Med with life-threatening injuries.
An investigation into the cause of the collision is still ongoing. At this point, it is unknown if alcohol or drugs is a factor. AST is still attempting to locate and notify the next of kin for the deceased. The road was closed for approximately four hours while Troopers conducted the investigation.
*This release has been updated to correctly reflect Dowhitt's age.
Posted on 12/1/2024 11:27:29 PM by DPS\bkhaley . Edited on 12/3/2024 8:32:12 AM by DPS\tjdespain
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AK24121847
Location: FairbanksType: Assault 2Dispatch Text:
On December 02, 2024, at approximately 2320 hours, AST responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon in the area of Pepperdine Drive. Investigation resulted in David Wessner, age 30, of Fairbanks, being arrested for Assault in the Second Degree. David was transported to FCC and held without bail.
Posted on 12/3/2024 6:00:13 AM by DPS\melopezmartinez
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AK24121573
Location: FairbanksType: TheftDispatch Text:
On 12/2/24 two separate businesses located near Peger Road and Van Horn Road in Fairbanks reported that storage buildings or containers were broken into sometime over the weekend and several electrical tools and machinery items were stolen. Anyone with information about this crime can call the Alaska State Troopers in Fairbanks at (907) 451-5100. If you would like to remain anonymous you can submit tips through the AKTips smartphone app or securely online at https://dps.alaska.gov/tips. You can also text the keywork AKTips to 847411 followed by your anonymous tip.
Posted on 12/3/2024 8:23:09 AM by DPS\hlculley
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AK24100137
Location: FairbanksType: Warrant ArrestDispatch Text:
On December 3rd, 2024 at approximately 1515 hours, Fairbanks AST received multiple 911 calls reporting an intoxicated male jumping in front of vehicles and attempting to punch them. Troopers responded and located a male matching the description provided in the area. The male was identified as Anthony Pitka, 35, of Fairbanks. Pitka had an outstanding $500 misdemeanor arrest warrant for Failure to Appear for Pre-Trial Conference Hearing (ref. 4FA-24-00676CR). Pitka was placed under arrest and remanded to the Fairbanks Correctional Center without incident.
Posted on 12/3/2024 4:17:57 PM by DPS\tjnorris
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AK24116437
Location: KaltagType: Warrant ArrestDispatch Text:
On 12/02/2024 around 1143 hours, AST contacted Wesley Alexie (age 29 of Kaltag) in Kaltag. Wesley had a $50,000 warrant for his arrest (original charge of felony assault). Wesley was arrested without incident and transported to Fairbanks via state aircraft where he was remanded at Fairbanks Correctional Center (FCC).
Posted on 12/3/2024 5:16:56 PM by DPS\kaharrison
E Detachment ...No news reported.
Headquarters ...No news reported.
AK Wildlife Troopers
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AK21115818
Location: AnchorageType: Wildlife InvestigationDispatch Text:
In October 2021, the Alaska Wildlife Troopers in Anchorage were notified of several alleged wildlife violations in the Anchorage and Chugach State Park area. Wildlife Troopers initiated a thorough investigation that revealed that Jerome Orton, age 43, and Jon Wilson, age 27, committed multiple wildlife violations. Orton and Wilson killed multiple dall sheep in the closed portion of the Chugach Mountains and multiple moose in the Anchorage Bowl closed area, specifically Kincaid Park and Anchorage Hillside.
As a result of the AWT investigation, in July 2024, Wilson was charged with fourteen wildlife crimes, including possessing/transporting illegally taken game, hunting in a restricted area, taking moose closed season, taking sheep closed season, wanton waste of big game, unsworn falsification in 2nd, and tampering with physical evidence.
Orton was charged with fourteen wildlife crimes, including possessing/transporting illegally taken game, taking sheep closed season, hunting in a restricted area, unsworn falsification in the second degree, and tampering with physical evidence.
During the investigation, a third person involved was identified as Jedidiah Lomer, age 33, of Anchorage. Lomer was charged in connection with the case, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. Efforts to locate Lomer have been unsuccessful. If anyone knows his location, please contact the Alaska Wildlife Troopers at (907) 352-5401 or submit a tip through the AKTips smartphone app.
The Alaska Wildlife Troopers would like to thank the Alaska State Parks and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for their assistance in this case.
Posted on 12/3/2024 4:19:54 PM by DPS\ajmcdaniel
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