Alaska State Troopers Press Release of Friday, March 15, 2024

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

A Detachment ...No news reported.

B Detachment

  • AK24016840

    Location: Big Lake
    Type: Warrant Arrest

    Dispatch Text:

    On 3/15/24 AST contacted Dalton Jacobs, age 31 of Wasilla, in Big Lake. Jacobs was arrested and remanded to Mat-Su Pretrial for two active arrest warrants (FTA O/C- Felony Theft in the second degree 3PA-22-626CR, FTC CR O/C- Misconduct involving controlled substances in the fourth degree 3PA-24-0312CR).

    Posted on 3/15/2024 8:15:48 PM by DPS\jrvenable

  • AK24024302

    Location: Palmer
    Type: Kidnapping and DV Assault

    Dispatch Text:

    On 03/14/24, at approximately 2103 hours, the Alaska State Troopers and Mat-Su Borough EMS responded to an address in Palmer for the report of an assault. Investigation revealed that Bryce Hebb, age 27 of Louisiana, had assaulted someone with whom he had a domestic relationship and held them against their will. Bryce was arrested and charged with kidnapping, assault in the 4th degree, and interfering with the report of a DV crime. Bryce was transported to Mat-Su Pre-Trial, where he was held without bail.

    Posted on 3/15/2024 12:19:18 AM by DPS\kdoakes

  • AK24023117

    Location: Wasilla
    Type: Warrant Arrest

    Dispatch Text:

    On 03/13/24 at 2134 hours, The Alaska State Troopers responded to an address in Wasilla to serve an arrest warrant. Investigation revealed that Charles Neal, age 41 of Wasilla, was at his residence and that he had a warrant for his arrest for charges related to a crime involving domestic violence. Charles was arrested and transported to Mat-Su Pre-trail without incident where he was held on a $500 bail. 

    Posted on 3/15/2024 12:29:02 AM by DPS\kdoakes

  • AK24024355

    Location: Houston
    Type: Traffic Pursuit

    Dispatch Text:

    On 3/15/24 at 0407 hours, AST conducted a traffic stop in Big Lake for an equipment violation. The driver, who was later identified as Traci Pierce, age 18 of Houston, failed to yield at the direction of an officer and drove to her residence instead. Traci was issued a criminal citation and released on her own recognizance.  

    Posted on 3/15/2024 6:18:11 AM by DPS\kdoakes

C Detachment ...No news reported.

D Detachment

  • AK24024348

    Location: Fairbanks
    Type: Interfering with Emergency Communications

    Dispatch Text:

    Mark Aamodt was arrested by Troopers on March 15, 2024, at approximately 0200 hours. Investigation revealed that he had committed the crimes of Interfering with emergency communications and violating conditions of release.

    Posted on 3/15/2024 7:07:27 AM by DPS\arurban

  • AK24024361

    Location: Fairbanks
    Type: Search Warrant Service

    Dispatch Text:

    On the morning of March 15, 2024, the Alaska State Troopers Northern Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) was requested to assist with a high-risk search warrant service at a residence near downtown Fairbanks. As the team was detaining the occupants of the residence to safely search the residence, an adult male attempted to run back inside the residence, which SWAT believed to contain weapons and critical evidence. The adult male refused to follow multiple commands to stop. SWAT officers attempted to use pepper ball non-lethal munitions to gain his compliance, however, he continued to attempt to reenter the residence and a police K9 was released to stop the man from running into the residence. The K9 stopped the adult male from returning to the residence. The man was transported to a Fairbanks area hospital for treatment of the K9 bite, and the search warrant was executed without further incident.

    Posted on 3/15/2024 7:40:51 AM by DPS\ltbruce

  • AK24022089

    Location: Fairbanks
    Type: Assault 4th Degree

    Dispatch Text:

    On March 8,2024, at 0845 hours, Alaska State Troopers received a report of an Assault after the fact. Holiday Gas station staff called and reported there was a male that came into the store that has been beaten by some friends. The victim was not very fourth coming with information needed for the location of the incident or suspects in the incident. This case is closed pending further information.

    Posted on 3/15/2024 7:48:59 AM by DPS\gesommers

  • AK24022775

    Location: Fairbanks
    Type: Escape in the third degree

    Dispatch Text:

    On March 10, 2024, at 1352 Alaska State Troopers received a report of an escape. North Star Center (NSC) staff called in and reported that Julian Thibedeau went to church at 1030 hours. Julian was supposed to be picked up at 1330 hours. When staff went inside to pick Julian up, they mentioned to the staff church was not being held today, NSC staff were unable to locate Julian. Ultimately, Julian left the church to do community service under the assumption he was allowed to by the approval of the NSC staff. This case is being sent to the district attorney's office for review.  

    Posted on 3/15/2024 7:53:13 AM by DPS\gesommers

  • AK24024376

    Location: Tok
    Type: DWLR

    Dispatch Text:

    On 03/15/2024 at approximately 0826 hours, Alaska State Troopers were patrolling the Tok Cutoff when a speed infraction was observed on a white 2008 Chevy Silverado bearing AK plate LGH740. A traffic stop was initiated, and the driver was identified as a Maurice G. Pence age 49 by his Alaska Identification card. Further investigation revealed Pence’s license is in revoked status and his revocation period was extended. A charge of Driving While License is Revoked was submitted to the District Attorney’s Office.

    Posted on 3/15/2024 10:16:21 AM by DPS\vaplotnikov

  • AK24024490

    Location: North Pole
    Type: Burglary

    Dispatch Text:

    On March 15th, 2024, at approximately 1129 hours Fairbanks AST responded to the area of Topaz Ave. in North Pole for a report of a burglary. Investigation is ongoing. 

    Posted on 3/15/2024 4:15:24 PM by DPS\bbschwarz

  • AK24024582

    Location: Delta Junction
    Type: Motor Vehicle Collision

    Dispatch Text:

    On 3-15-24 Delta Junction AST received a report of a motor vehicle collision on the Richardson Hwy near Tanana Loop. AST responded and investigation showed a three vehicle collision occurred after a vehicle slowed down to turn onto Tanana Loop. No one was obviously injured in the collision. The vehicle with the most significant damage was towed while one was left on scene out of the roadway. The third vehicle was driven away from the scene. 

    Posted on 3/15/2024 6:21:48 PM by DPS\cihudson

  • AK24024632

    Location: Fairbanks
    Type: Theft

    Dispatch Text:

    UPDATE 5/10/24: 

    On March 15, 2024, the Alaska State Troopers in Fairbanks took a report of a burglary in the area of Deere St. and Peger Rd. Early investigation suggested that the suspect(s) had broken into a storage unit on or about March 11 and then broke into a neighboring shop on or about March 15 by using a vehicle to gain property and building access. The two incidents appeared related, and an estimated $50,000 in tools were stolen in addition to property damages from the forced entry. 

    The Alaska State Troopers Criminal Suppression Unit (CSU) in Fairbanks assumed case responsibility and began investigating this incident. Over the course of the next month and half, CSU identified two suspects in this case, Jeffery Skelly, 63, of Fairbanks and Philip Wallis, 53, of Fairbanks. CSU located multiple items of stolen property at both the suspects' residences, identified the vehicle used during the burglaries and discovered other evidence suggesting their involvement.

    Through further investigative efforts and a search warrant process, CSU has recovered several thousand dollars worth of stolen property since the incident and discovered further evidence of these crimes.

    On May 9, 2024 this case was brought before a Fairbanks Grand Jury. The Grand Jury subsequently handed down indictments for both Skelly and Wallis.

    Skelly was charged with Theft 1st Degree, 2 counts Burglary 2nd Degree, Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree, and Theft 3rd Degree (ref. 4FA-24-00812CR). A $50,000 felony arrest warrant has since been issued.

    Wallis was charged with Theft 1st Degree and Burglary 2nd Degree (ref. 4FA-24-00813CR). Wallis, who was already in custody on a separate offense, now remains in custody on the additional charges.


    CSU would like to recognize and thank various community members and tipsters who assisted in this investigation -- it helped tremendously. Anyone with information about a 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 keyword "AKTips" to 847411 followed by your anonymous tip.

    Original: On 03/15/2024 at 1803 hours Alaska State Troopers, Fairbanks, received information about a break-in. Troopers responded to an address off Peger Road. After ensuring there was no one on the property the owner did a walk-through and said multiple tools were taken as well as other things. The incident is currently under investigation.

    Posted on 3/15/2024 10:11:25 PM by DPS\sbshannon

  • AK24023190

    Location: Fairbanks
    Type: Warrant Arrest

    Dispatch Text:

    On 03/11/2024, a $500,000 felony arrest warrant was issued for Matthew Dopson, 35, of Fairbanks for Failure to Appear for Bail Hearing on the original charges of Fail to Stop at Direction of Peace Officer I, Assault III, Improper Use of Evidence of Registration, Criminal Trespass I, Criminal Mischief IV, and Theft IV. 

    On 03/14/2024, the Fairbanks Criminal Suppression Unit (CSU) began efforts in attempting to locate Dopson within the Fairbanks area. CSU identified a vehicle that Dopson was driving and later located it at a residence near Chena Pump Rd.

    On 03/15/2024, at approximately 1200 hours, CSU and Fairbanks Patrol surrounded Dopson's residence and made contact with Dopson. Dopson exited the residence and was taken into custody without incident. Dopson was then remanded to the Fairbanks Correctional Center where he is held on bail.

    Posted on 3/15/2024 11:35:41 PM by DPS\tjnorris

E Detachment ...No news reported.

Headquarters ...No news reported.

AK Wildlife Troopers

  • AK24024552

    Location: Sitka
    Type: Methods And Means: Take Big Game With Dog

    Dispatch Text:

    On 3-15-24 witnesses reported observing a dog attacking a deer in the area of Sawmill Creek Road between Whale Park and the industrial Park. Upon arrival, the Wildlife Trooper dispatched a yearling deer which had fallen from a cliff face along the roadway and was found severely injured and unable to move. Investigation revealed a dog owned by Nicholas L. Galanin, age 44, of Sitka, was running at large when it attacked the deer, causing its death. Galanin was issued a summons to appear in the Sitka District Court for one count of Taking Big Game With a Dog. The carcass of the deer was donated to charity. 

    The Wildlife Troopers would like to remind dog owners that the harassment or take of big game by a dog is illegal in Alaska, and that pet owners are responsible for the actions of their running-at-large pets.   

    Posted on 3/15/2024 3:40:00 PM by DPS\kjferguson

AK Bureau of Investigation ...No news reported.

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.