Alaska State Troopers Press Release of Thursday, August 27, 2026
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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AK26084375
Location: SeldoviaType: Fatal Aircraft CrashDispatch Text:
UPDATE 8/27: The deceased adults recovered from the plane crash are identified as:
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Pilot Eric Middlebrook, 68 of Anchorage, Alaska
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Ronald Schmidt, 65 of San Jose, California
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Lance Schmidt, 20 of San Jose, California
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Daniel Simons, 82 of Los Gatos, California
Next of kin have been notified.
ORIGINAL: On August 26, 2026, at 1:18 pm, the Alaska State Troopers were notified that a small plane had crashed in the Seldovia Slough. State Troopers and Wildlife Troopers from Anchor Point responded on the P/V Augustine, and DPS HELO 3 responded from Anchorage. A preliminary investigation determined that a Piper PA-24 bound for Seldovia from Merrill Field Airport in Anchorage had crashed into the water and was completely submerged. At approximately 6:30 pm after the tide level dropped Troopers were able to extract four deceased adults from inside of the small plane. Their bodies are being sent to the State Medical Examiner's Office for autopsy. Once the bodies have been positively identified and next of kin has been notified, the names of the deceased will be released. The NTSB has been notified, and they will investigate the cause of the crash.
Posted on 8/26/2026 7:23:24 PM by DPS\ajmcdaniel . Edited on 8/27/2026 9:12:47 AM by DPS\ajmcdaniel
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B Detachment
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AK26084678
Location: HoustonType: AssaultDispatch Text:
On 08/27/2026 at approximately 1115 hours, the Alaska State Troopers responded to a residence in Houston regarding a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, Troopers noticed obvious signs of injury to an individual. Investigation revealed Editha Runstrom, age 44 of Wasilla, caused injury to a household member. Editha was arrested for Assault 4 and remanded at MSPT with no bail.
Posted on 8/27/2026 4:49:06 PM by DPS\bmkadow
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AK26075432
Location: WasillaType: Warrant ArrestDispatch Text:
On 8/27/2026, at approximately 1450 hours, AST conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle near the intersection of Knik Goose Bay Road and Horizon Dr. A records check revealed the driver, Alika Antrim, had nine outstanding arrest warrants for multiple incidents including DUI, Violation of Conditions of release, Misconduct involving controlled substances, and multiple counts of Driving while License Revoked. He was remanded to Mat-Su Pre-Trial with a total bail amount of $2750.
Posted on 8/27/2026 9:18:34 PM by DPS\eaowens
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AK26081529
Location: WasillaType: Warrant ArrestDispatch Text:
On 8/27/2026, at approximately 1110 hours, AST conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Knik Goose Bay Rd and Alix Dr. The driver, identified as Ryan Vukson, had an outstanding arrest warrant for Failure to Appear due to Driving while License Revoked/Suspended/Cancelled. Ryan was remanded to Mat-Su Pre-Trial with bail set at $50.
Posted on 8/27/2026 9:28:56 PM by DPS\eaowens
C Detachment ...No news reported.
D Detachment
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AK26084420
Location: North PoleType: Domestic AssaultDispatch Text:
On Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at approximately 2:27PM AST responded to a residence in North Pole in reference to a domestic disturbance. The female victim advised her mother had brandished a firearm and threatened her over a loaned car battery. The mother denied these claims and, due to no independent witnesses, the district attorney's office was notified and charges were forwarded. The firearm was seized and submitted as evidence.
Posted on 8/27/2026 10:02:47 AM by DPS\jtfaul
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AK26084206
Location: FairbanksType: Warrant ArrestDispatch Text:
On August 19, 2026 a homeowner came home to find Arther Chesley burglarizing his home. The homeowner told the Chesley he was calling the Alaska State Troopers at which point the Chesley in his black Subaru. AST responded to the area but was unable to locate him..
On August 26, 2026 a $15,000 %100 cash performance felony warrant was issued for the arrest of Arther Chesley for Burglary 1 and Theft IV.
On August 27, 2026 the Alaska State Troopers Criminal Suppression Unit (CSU) tracked down Chesley to a residence off Hess Ave. Chesley was arrested on his outstanding warrant and remanded to the Fairbanks Correctional Center.
Posted on 8/27/2026 12:45:18 PM by DPS\smcafee
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AK26084543
Location: FairbanksType: Warrant ArrestDispatch Text:
On August 26, 2026, at approximately 5:26 p.m., the Alaska State Troopers responded to 3677 College Road, Unit 8, for a report of a trespassing incident. Upon arrival, Troopers contacted Samuel Cobbs, age 24, of Palmer. Investigation revealed Cobbs had four active arrest warrants issued out of Palmer.
Cobbs was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Fairbanks Correctional Facility, where he was remanded on the outstanding warrants.
Posted on 8/27/2026 3:28:47 PM by DPS\cdmorgan
E Detachment ...No news reported.
Headquarters ...No news reported.
AK Wildlife Troopers ...No news reported.
AK Bureau of Investigation ...No news reported.
AK Bureau of Highway Patrol ...No news reported.
AK Bureau of Judicial Services
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AK26084424
Location: FairbanksType: Arrest Warrant & Resisting ArrestDispatch Text:
On 08/26/2026 at about 1445 hours, Court Services Officers with the Alaska State Troopers Judicial Services Bureau contacted Shawn Murphy, age 50 of Fairbanks, loitering in the Rabinowitz Courthouse parking lot. Murphy had an active warrant for his arrest for Disorderly Conduct and Failing to Stop at the Direction of a Police Officer. While officers were arresting Murphy he resisted by force. Murphy was transported to the Fairbanks Correctional Center where he was remanded on his warrant and one count of Resisting Arrest.
Posted on 8/27/2026 8:23:36 AM by DPS\tmstuart
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