Alaska State Troopers Press Release of Wednesday, March 5, 2025

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

A Detachment

  • AK25006791

    Location: Seward
    Type: MICS

    Dispatch Text:

    On 01/22/2025 at about 2217 hours, Seward AST conducted a traffic stop near mile 3 of the Seward Highway. The driver was identified as Andrea Morris, 48 YOA of Seward. The investigation revealed Andrea's vehicle was not properly registered or titled, and that she didn't have proof of liability insurance. Andrea's vehicle was impounded pending proof of ownership and insurance. During an inventory search of Andrea's vehicle, drug paraphernalia was discovered. Andrea's purse was seized pending the application of a search warrant. Seward AST was granted the search warrant and executed it the following day. The search revealed suspected illicit drugs. Charges for misconduct involving controlled substances (MICS) are expected pending confirmatory testing from the crime laboratory.

    UPDATE

    The crime laboratory identified the substance as fentanyl. Seward AST has requested that an arrest warrant be issued for one count of MICS in the fourth degree. 

    Posted on 1/24/2025 3:14:38 PM by DPS\jlyavorsky . Edited on 3/5/2025 10:17:48 PM by DPS\jlyavorsky

  • AK25020330

    Location: Soldotna
    Type: DV Assault/SWAT

    Dispatch Text:

    On March 4, 2025, Alaska State Troopers received a report of a domestic violence assault at a Soldotna residence. Robbie West Diehl, 44 of Sterling, was intoxicated when he assaulted and threatened multiple people before they were able to escape the residence. It was reported he had a firearm. AST responded, with assistance from Soldotna PD, and observed Diehl to be intoxicated, belligerent and aggressive. He exited the residence and aggressively approached officers. Multiple taser deployments and less-lethal use of force was ineffective when he approached them. Diehl then retreated and barricaded himself inside the residence. Southern SWAT responded and ultimately took him into custody without injury. Diehl was remanded to the Wildwood Pretrial Facility and is facing charges of third- and fourth-degree domestic violence assault, third-degree assault on a police officer, assault in the presence of a child, criminal mischief, misconduct involving weapons and violation of conditions of release.

    Posted on 3/5/2025 2:26:56 PM by DPS\tewilliams

B Detachment

  • AK25020507

    Location: Wasilla
    Type: Harrassment

    Dispatch Text:

    On 03/05/2025 at approximately 1319 hours, Alaska State Troopers received a report of a harassment. Investigation is ongoing.

    Posted on 3/5/2025 4:49:40 PM by DPS\rranderson

  • AK25020498

    Location: Glennallen
    Type: Scam/Fraud

    Dispatch Text:

    On 03/05/2025 at approximately 1327 hours, Troopers took a report of a Scam/Fraud that happened over the internet. The caller was provided options to include making additional reports to IC3.gov.

    The Troopers would like to remind to the public not to give out personal information to anyone they do not know especially banking information. No legitimate business will request payment for an outstanding bill to be paid by obtaining gift cards and using the cards to pay the bill over the phone/internet.

    Posted on 3/5/2025 5:40:38 PM by DPS\jbchroniger

  • AK25020335

    Location: Wasilla
    Type: Warrant Arrest, DWLR

    Dispatch Text:

    On 03/04/2025 at approximately 2241 hours AST conducted a traffic stop on a white pickup for an equipment violation near the Settlers Bay Lodge. Investigation revealed the driver David Mehalshick, 55 of Wasilla, had an outstanding warrant for Fail to Remand OC DWLR and was driving on a revoked license.  He was remanded to Mat-Su Pretrial on his warrant and DWLR.

    Posted on 3/5/2025 12:11:10 AM by DPS\cjkopy

C Detachment ...No news reported.

D Detachment

  • AK25020361

    Location: Fairbanks
    Type: DV Assault

    Dispatch Text:

    On 5 March 2025, at 0048 hours AST responded to a call of a civil issue occurring in the area of Lakeview Terrace. While addressing the civil issue, a past DV assault was reported to Troopers that occurred around 3 December 2024. The investigation is on going

    Posted on 3/5/2025 5:13:48 AM by DPS\pptesta

  • AK25020343

    Location: North Pole
    Type: Vehicle Theft

    Dispatch Text:

    On March 4th, 2025, Alaska State Troopers received a call for a stolen truck in the area of Lakloey Road in North Pole. The truck was located in the area of Peridot Street and turned over to the owner, who did not want to press charges. 

    Posted on 3/5/2025 5:14:30 AM by DPS\kdanderson

  • AK25019878

    Location: Tok
    Type: Theft in the Second Degree

    Dispatch Text:

    O 3/3/25, at 1700 hours, a report was made at Tok Post reporting the theft of prescription medications from a man camp.  The replacement cost of the medications is estimated $1500.00 dollars.  This investigation is currently on going.     

    Posted on 3/5/2025 2:09:42 PM by DPS\mfhaglin

  • AK25020677

    Location: Fairbanks
    Type: Death Investigation

    Dispatch Text:

    On March 5 2025, at approximately 2045 hours, the Alaska State Troopers received a report of a deceased person at a residence off Chena Pump Road.  Investigation showed that Monica Murphy, age 47, of Fairbanks had passed away from natural causes.  The next of kin has been notified. 

    Posted on 3/5/2025 11:02:25 PM by DPS\cjnelson1

  • AK25020673

    Location: North Pole
    Type: MVC - Damage

    Dispatch Text:

    On March 5, 2025, at approximately 2032 hours, the Alaska State Troopers responded to MP 345 Richardson Hwy for a vehicle vs a guardrail. All parties were uninjured. The vehicle was towed due to disabling damage. 

    Posted on 3/5/2025 11:07:56 PM by DPS\jldreher

E Detachment ...No news reported.

Headquarters ...No news reported.

AK Wildlife Troopers

  • AK25020258

    Location: Girdwood
    Type: Avalanche / Search and Rescue

    Dispatch Text:

    UPDATE 3/7 1:30 pm: Yesterday, Troopers, avalanche experts, and a technical mountain rescue expert conducted an aerial and on-the-ground assessment of the slide area and location where the three avalanche beacons last signaled. The beacons last signal indicated they were buried between 40 feet and nearly 100 feet deep at the bottom of a steep section of terrain. Due to a high risk of additional avalanches and the challenging location where the bodies of the three men are believed to be buried – the team has reached the consensus that recovery efforts are unfortunately not possible until conditions improve that allow for the safety of rescue teams who will need to spend significant time in the area. The State Troopers and the heliski operator will continue to evaluate conditions to determine when it is safe to allow rescue teams to operate in this area, recognizing that it may take some time for conditions to improve. We know that this is not the solution that the loved ones of these men were looking for today; however, it is the safest path forward for everyone involved. 

    UPDATE 3/6 9:00 am: The Alaska State Troopers have identified the three missing persons who were caught in the avalanche as:

    • David Linder, 39 of Florida
    • Charles Eppard 39, of Montana
    • Jeremy Leif, 38, of Minnesota


    Troopers, avalanche, and recovery experts will attempt to conduct an aerial assessment of the slide area today to determine additional avalanche danger and recovery options. 

    UPDATE 3/5 4:25 pm: Due to poor weather conditions in the area that prevented helicopter flights, Troopers, avalanche experts, and recovery teams could not assess the slide area for avalanche safety considerations and recovery options today. Troopers are optimistic that weather conditions will improve on March 6th to allow for flights in the area.

    ORIGINAL: On March 4, 2025, at 5:10 pm, the Alaska Wildlife Troopers were notified of an avalanche near the West Fork of 20 Mile River near Girdwood. A preliminary investigation determined three adult heliskiers were caught in a large avalanche around 3:30 pm. Guides from the commercial heliskiing operation that the group was with immediately attempted to locate the three skiers. Using avalanche beacons, the guides identified a probable area where skiers were buried between 40 feet and nearly 100 feet deep. The guides were unable to recover the three skiers due to the depth. Due to considerable avalanche risk in this area and limited daylight, no further recovery operations were conducted on March 4th. On March 5th, Troopers plan to assess the area to determine if recovery operations can safely be conducted.

    Posted on 3/5/2025 8:27:01 AM by DPS\ajmcdaniel

  • AK24088586

    Location: Fairbanks
    Type: Unlawful methods of taking big game

    Dispatch Text:

    On August 31, 2024, Alaska Wildlife Troopers in Fairbanks received a report from of a hunter using an airplane to scout sheep near Lime Peak in the White Mountains. Investigation revealed Taylor Hulslander of North Pole utilized his 1975 Piper PA-18-150 to locate sheep on the evening of August 26, 2024 near Lime Peak in the White Mountains. Hulslander made multiple passes over a full-curl Dall sheep which he then harvested the morning of August 27, 2024. Regulation prohibits the use of aircraft to locate sheep for hunting purposes, August 10 - September 20. Hulslander has a hearing date of 25 March 2025 in Fairbanks.

    Posted on 3/5/2025 9:30:25 AM by DPS\esburns

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.