Alaska State Troopers Press Release of Thursday, July 3, 2025
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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TBD
Location: Anchor PointType: Death InvestigationDispatch Text:
On July 3, 2025 at 1030am, the Alaska State Troopers were notified that a fishing charter found human remains floating in Cook Inlet near Anchor Point. Troopers responded to the area aboard the P/V Augustine and recovered the remains. The body was not identifiable and was sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy and positive identification.
Posted on 7/3/2025 4:02:40 PM by DPS\ajmcdaniel
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AK25062904
Location: SewardType: DV Assault, Criminal Mischief, Fugitive From JusticeDispatch Text:
On 6/28/2025, at approximately 2257 hours, Seward AST responded to a domestic disturbance off of Nash Rd in Seward. Investigation revealed Damon Capurro, age 31 of Seward, assaulted a family member and broke items in the residence before leaving on foot before law enforcement's arrival. AST could not locate Capurro and an arrest warrant was issued.
On 7/1/2025, Seward Troopers were able to locate Capurro and place him under arrest without incident. Capurro was remanded to Spring Creek Correctional Center for the charges of Assault 4 x2 DV and Criminal Mischief 5 DV. Additionally, Capurro had an extraditable warrant pending from California for similar crimes. Capurro was held without bail.
, and a warrant was requested for the following charges: Assault 4 DV x 2, Criminal Mischief 5 DV.
Posted on 7/3/2025 5:40:58 PM by DPS\krklingen
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AK25063914
Location: JuneauType: SARDispatch Text:
UPDATE 7/3 8:30 pm: On July 3, 2025, at 11:56 am, an Alaska Army National Guard helicopter crew located Marites’ body approximately 1,700 feet below the ridge line of Gold Ridge. Troopers and Juneau Mountain Rescue were able to recover her body with the assistance of Temsco Helicopters and the National Guard. Her next of kin have been notified, and her body will be sent to the state medical examiner's office for autopsy. Wildlife Troopers would like to thank all of the volunteers and agencies that assisted with this search and rescue.
UPDATE 7/3: Today, ground and aerial search teams will continue their search for Marites Buenafe. Yesterday, July 2nd, over a dozen professional volunteers from Juneau Mountain Rescue and SEADOGS joined Troopers and Juneau Police Officers for an extensive search using drones, K-9s, and ground teams, with no signs of Marites. Weather conditions allowed limited helicopter searches late in the day.
ORIGINAL: On July 1, 2025, Alaska Wildlife Troopers were notified around 3:20 p.m. of an overdue hiker near Mount Roberts. Marites Buenafe, 62, of Kentucky had gotten off a cruise ship that morning and told family she was going up the tram and planned to hike Gold Ridge to Gastineau Peak. Juneau Mountain Rescue conducted a ground search and utilized thermal drones. AWT Helo 5 and a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter conducted aerial searches of the area. The search was paused overnight, but the Juneau Mountain Rescue and Southeast Alaska Dogs for Organized Ground Search resumed efforts on July 2. Aerial search assets were on standby until weather conditions improve.
Posted on 7/2/2025 11:16:02 AM by DPS\tewilliams . Edited on 7/3/2025 8:32:22 PM by DPS\ajmcdaniel
B Detachment
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AK25064573
Location: WasillaType: DUI/Assault DVDispatch Text:
On 07/02/2025 at approximately 2144 hours, AST responded to the area near Aspen Road in Wasilla. Investigation revealed that Nathan Lankford drove while intoxicated to his residence, assaulted his girlfriend, and punched the bedroom door, causing damage. Nathan was arrested for Assault in the 2nd DV, Assault in the 4th degree DV, Criminal Mischief in the Fifth DV, DUI, and Refusal to Submit to Chemical Testing.
Posted on 7/3/2025 5:59:51 AM by DPS\jlmedina
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AK25064628
Location: WasillaType: Theft 2, DV Criminal Mischief 3Dispatch Text:
On 7/2/25 at approximately 0018 hours, Troopers received a report of trespassing on a property in Wasilla. An investigation showed that Crystal Snider, 37, of Wasilla, had damaged a vehicle and had stolen a cell phone in a domestic dispute. Further investigation found she was wanted for a felony arrest warrant. She fled the scene and was later apprehended with the use of a K9 track alongside a drone and remanded to Mat-Su Pre-Trial on charges of Theft 2 and DV Criminal Mischief 3.
Posted on 7/3/2025 6:33:32 AM by DPS\tranderson
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AK25064481
Location: PalmerType: VCORDispatch Text:
On 07/02/2025, Alaska State Troopers responded to a residence off Lee Ann Drive for report of a disturbance. Subsequent investigation determined that Anthony Athanas, age 22, was in violation of his conditions of release. Anthony was arrested for violating conditions of release (VCOR) and was remanded to Mat-Su Pretrial, where he is being held without bail.
Posted on 7/3/2025 7:03:18 AM by DPS\aedanaher
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AK25064442
Location: WasillaType: Vehicle TheftDispatch Text:
On 07/02/2025 at approximately 1210 hours, Alaska State Troopers responded to a vehicle theft in Wasilla. Early in the morning of 07/03/2025, the vehicle was recovered by the Wasilla Police Department and returned to the owner. The investigation is ongoing. The Alaska State Troopers would like to thank the Wasilla Police Officers for their assistance.
Posted on 7/3/2025 5:37:26 PM by DPS\jrvenable
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AK25064780
Location: PalmerType: VCOR and MIW4Dispatch Text:
On July 3, 2025, at approximately 1044 hours, AST responded to a disturbance. An investigation found that Gavin Kopplin committed the crimes of Violating Conditions of Release and Misconduct Involving a Weapon in the 4th Degree. Gavin was under conditions for a prior assault case. He was located in Anchorage and arrested by the Anchorage Police Department's ISU team. Gavin was remanded at Anchorage Correctional Complex and held without bail. AST would like to thank the Anchorage Police Department for their assistance in this case.
Posted on 7/3/2025 5:58:03 PM by DPS\aedanaher
C Detachment
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AK25064688
Location: GambellType: Assault / EscapeDispatch Text:
On 6/30/25 39-year-old Jonathan Walunga of Gambell was placed under arrest after AST received reports of him scaring people at the local store and post office while armed with a knife. Walunga was being held on multiple assault charges in the Gambell Public Safety Building awaiting transport to Nome.
On 7/2/25, Walunga escaped from the Public Safety Building and assaulted a VPO. Walunga was quickly apprehended by a Gambell VPO and on-looking citizens.
Walunga was remanded to Anvil Mountain Correctional Center on multiple assault charges, disorderly conduct, reckless endangerment, and Escape.
Posted on 7/3/2025 10:36:06 AM by DPS\cbrafferty
D Detachment
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AK25064612
Location: Delta JunctionType: Misconduct Involving Weapons 4th DegreeDispatch Text:
On July 02, 2025, at approximately 2255 hours, AST responded to the area of Triple H Road in Delta Junction for a report of a suspicious circumstance. Investigation revealed that Jason Zigler, age 41 of Delta Junction, was intoxicated and in possession of a firearm. Jason was arrested for Misconduct Involving Weapons in the Fourth Degree.
Posted on 7/3/2025 1:33:09 AM by DPS\melopezmartinez
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AK25012987
Location: North PoleType: Warrant ArrestDispatch Text:
On 07/03/2025 at 0728 hours a Trooper conducted a traffic stop for expired registration and the plates not matching the vehicle. Katrina Eriksen was arrested on her warrant. The vehicle was impounded due to displaying incorrect plates.
Posted on 7/3/2025 8:06:26 AM by DPS\hrchurness
E Detachment ...No news reported.
Headquarters ...No news reported.
AK Wildlife Troopers
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AK25062912
Location: PalmerType: Fail to Log/ Fish after RetentionDispatch Text:
On 06/29/2025 at approximately 0045 hours, Alaska Wildlife Troopers contacted Fetuao Palelei, age 22 of Anchorage, at the Eklutna Tailrace after observing multiple violations while he was sportfishing for king salmon. Palelei was cited with two bailable citation for fishing for king salmon after retention of one greater than 20 inches and Failure to log king salmon.
Posted on 7/3/2025 4:10:05 PM by DPS\dbledford
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AK25062914
Location: PalmerType: Attempt to Snag SalmonDispatch Text:
On 06/29/2025 at approximately 0100 hours, Alaska Wildlife Troopers contacted AJ Lagolago, age 28 of Wasilla, after observing him attempting to snag king salmon. Lagolago was issued a bailable citation for Attempt to Snag King Salmon.
Posted on 7/3/2025 4:12:12 PM by DPS\dbledford
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AK25063116
Location: DillinghamType: Commercial Fish Closed WatersDispatch Text:
On June 29, 2025 Miro Schaad age 35 from Homer and Matthew Jordan age 31 from Bozeman, MT, were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers during the Bristol Bay Salmon Enforcement Program fir commercial fishing in closed waters in Nushagak. Arraignment is scheduled in Dillingham District Court on August 4, 2025.
Posted on 7/3/2025 5:11:03 PM by DPS\fdmccammon
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AK25063686
Location: DillinghamType: Vessel Number PlateDispatch Text:
On June 30, 2025 Robert McCollum age 32 from Grand Rapids, MI was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers during the Bristol Bay Salmon Enforcement Program for commercial fishing without CFEC number plate affixed. Bail is set for $120 at the Dillingham District Court.
Posted on 7/3/2025 11:34:11 AM by DPS\fdmccammon
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AK25061022
Location: UGASHIK DISTRICT NORTH LINEType: COMMERCIAL FISH CLOSED WATERSDispatch Text:
On June 23, 2025, Henry Thoreen, 42 years old from Seattle, Washington and John Wise 58 years old from Naknek, Alaska were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers during the Bristol Bay Salmon Enforcement Program for Commercial Fish Closed Waters on the North Line in the Ugashik District. Arraignment is scheduled in Naknek District Court on August 6, 2025.
Posted on 7/3/2025 2:45:09 PM by DPS\sdcubbedge1
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AK25061204
Location: UGASHIK DISTRICT NORTH LINEType: COMMERCIAL FISH CLOSED WATERSDispatch Text:
On June 24, 2025, David Adams, 39 years old from Palmer, Alaska and Thomas Leuty 23 years old from Bradenton, Florida were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers during the Bristol Bay Salmon Enforcement Program for Commercial Fish Closed Waters on the North Line in the Ugashik District. Arraignment is scheduled in Naknek District Court on August 7, 2025.
Posted on 7/3/2025 3:02:52 PM by DPS\sdcubbedge1
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AK25064767
Location: DillinghamType: Fail to RegisterDispatch Text:
On June 30, 2025 Steven Pulley age 48 from Sequim, WA was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers during the Bristol Bay Salmon Enforcement Program for failing to register powerboat in Nushagak Bay. Bail is set for $70 at the Dillingham District Court.
Posted on 7/3/2025 3:43:16 PM by DPS\fdmccammon
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