Alaska State Troopers Press Release of Tuesday, August 6, 2024

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

A Detachment

  • AK24077430

    Location: Ninilchik
    Type: MVC - Damage

    Dispatch Text:

    On 8/4/24 at 1430 hours, Troopers responded to a two-vehicle collision at mile 140 of the Sterling Highway.  An investigation showed a vehicle being driven by Hillary Swauger, 40 of Anchorage, had been slowing down after the vehicle in front of her was slowing for a dog in the roadway.  Mark Kalugin, 33 of Nikolaevsk, was traveling behind Swauger and could not stop in time.  Kalugin’s vehicle struck Swauger’s vehicle causing damage to both vehicles.   There were no injuries reported and Kalugin was cited for due care to avoid a collision. 

    Posted on 8/6/2024 11:58:49 AM by DPS\djcox

  • AK24075968

    Location: Ninilchik
    Type: Warrant Arrest

    Dispatch Text:

    On 7/31/24 at 1656 hours, Troopers stopped a vehicle near mile 138 of the Sterling Highway for a traffic violation.  The driver was identified as Jeremy Ditzler, 38 of Big Lake, who was found to have an outstanding warrant for his arrest.  Ditzler was arrested and remanded into the Homer Jail with bail set at $100. 

    Posted on 8/6/2024 12:02:05 PM by DPS\djcox

B Detachment

  • AK24078072

    Location: Wasilla
    Type: DVPO/VCOR

    Dispatch Text:

    On 8/6/2024 at approximately 0635 hours AST responded to Wasilla in reference to Charles Cox contacting a person in violation of a court order. Investigation revealed Charles violated a protective order and conditions of release. Charles was arrested and remanded to Matsu Pretrial for Violation of a Protective order and two counts of Violating Conditions of Release and held on no bail.

    Posted on 8/6/2024 4:14:36 PM by DPS\wmbooth

  • AK24078256

    Location: Palmer
    Type: MICS 5 Fail to stop 2

    Dispatch Text:

    On 8/6/24 at approximately 1400 hours, AST attempted to stop a vehicle for a speeding violation in the area of Big Lake. Investigation revealed that the driver, Robert Adams age 45 of Wasilla, had failed to stop at the direction of a peace officer and was found to be in possession of a controlled substance. AST issued a criminal citation with a future court date for MICS 5 and fail to stop at the direction of a peace officer 2.

    Posted on 8/6/2024 5:59:07 PM by DPS\jlfiaai

  • AK24077962

    Location: Palmer
    Type: Assault III DV, Assault IV DV, & Criminal Mischief III DV

    Dispatch Text:

    On 08/05/2024 at approximately 1822 hours, Alaska State Troopers responded to a domestic disturbance at a residence on Tempra Street in Palmer. Investigation led to the arrest of Cody Secrest, age 33 of Palmer for Assault III DV, Assault IV DV, & Criminal Mischief III DV. Secrest was remanded to the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility and held without bail. 

    Posted on 8/6/2024 7:12:28 PM by DPS\rranderson

  • AK24078181

    Location: Palmer
    Type: Assualt

    Dispatch Text:

    On 08/06/2024 at approximately 1143 hours, AST responded to the area of Inner Springer Loop for the report of two males fighting and one in possession of a handgun. Investigation revealed Estaban Harrison age 25 made threats with a firearm and caused injury to a household member. Harrison was arrested for DV Assault in the Third and Fourth Degree. He was transported to Matsu Pretrial and remanded.

    Posted on 8/6/2024 7:15:56 PM by DPS\sthumphreys

  • AK24078061

    Location: Sutton
    Type: Motor Vehicle Collision - Injury

    Dispatch Text:

    On 08/06/2024 at approximately 0522 hours, Alaska State Troopers responded to a single vehicle collision at mile marker 65 of Glenn Hwy in Sutton. Investigation revealed the vehicle was south on the Glenn Hwy when it left the roadway and crashed into the trees. The occupants were transported to a local hospital for minor injuries. 

    Posted on 8/6/2024 7:20:19 PM by DPS\rranderson

  • AK24077855

    Location: Wasilla
    Type: Warrant Arrest, MICS 4, False Information, DWLS, VCOR

    Dispatch Text:

    On 8/5/24 at approximately 1400 hours, AST conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling in the area of Seldon and Beverly Lake. Investigation revealed that the driver of the vehicle, Tolumane Sasiu age 32 of Wasilla, had a $2000 warrant for failure to comply with conditions. Further investigation revealed that the passenger, Casey Kinsora age 34 of Wasilla, was on probation and was absconding. AST arrested both Sasiu and Kinsora. Both were transported to Matsu Pretrial where Sasiu was remanded on the warrant and additional charges of false information, VCOR, and DWLS. Kinsora was remanded on violating her probation and additional charge of MICS 4.

    Posted on 8/6/2024 8:18:37 AM by DPS\jlfiaai

  • AK24077630

    Location: Hatcher Pass
    Type: SAR

    Dispatch Text:

    FINAL UPDATE 8/6 7:00 pm: On 08/06/2024 at approximately 1602 hours, Zapata was located near the Bomber Glacier with the assistance of the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group, Alaska Mountain Rescue Group Dogs, AK State Parks, AST & AWT. Zapata was airlifted by the Alaska National Guard to a local hospital for treatment of injuries. Troopers would like to thank all of our local SAR resources that responded to this incident.

    UPDATE 8/5 7:45 pm: Throughout the day, Alaska State Troopers coordinated search efforts consisting of aerial searches with DPS HELO 2 and ground searching by Alaska State Park Rangers and professional volunteers from Alaska Mountain Rescue Group. Search teams found no sign of the overdue hiker. Search efforts have ended for the evening and will resume on August 6th. 

    The overdue hiker is identified as 60-year-old Palmer resident Roberto Zapata, who has been listed as a missing person. Anyone with information about Zapata's current location who has not contacted law enforcement can call the Alaska State Troopers at (907) 352-5401.

    ORIGINAL: On August 5, 2024, at 12:45am, Alaska State Troopers received a report of an overdue hiker in Hatcher Pass. The hiker left on Saturday morning and was scheduled to return Sunday evening but did not return. His vehicle was located at the Upper Reed Lakes trailhead. Alaska State Troopers Helo-3, and Alaska Mountain Rescue Group (AMRG) responded and are currently searching the area. The search is ongoing.

    Posted on 8/5/2024 3:43:57 PM by DPS\tjdespain . Edited on 8/6/2024 7:04:30 PM by DPS\rranderson

  • AK24078010

    Location: Byer's Lake
    Type: Search & Rescue

    Dispatch Text:

    On 08/05/2024 at approximately 2050 hours, Alaska State Troopers responded to Byer's Lake near mile 147 Parks Hwy. Investigation revealed four females on paddle boards had floated down Byers Creek from the lake and became stuck. Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) from JBER responded and successfully rescued the females. No injuries were reported but the females were treated for mild hypothermia. 

    Posted on 8/6/2024 4:38:47 AM by DPS\rranderson

C Detachment ...No news reported.

D Detachment

  • AK24078025

    Location: Fairbanks
    Type: DUI/MICS

    Dispatch Text:

    On 08/05/2024 at approximately 2353 hours, the Alaska State Troopers conducted a traffic stop in Fairbanks. Troopers' investigation determined that Andrew Monge committed the crime of DUI, Failure to provide a chemical test, and MICS 5. Andrew was arrested and transported to FCC.

    Posted on 8/6/2024 5:16:51 AM by DPS\oamodestoOrdonez

  • AK24078062

    Location: Cantwell
    Type: Assault 4th DV, Criminal Mischief DV

    Dispatch Text:

    On 8-6-24, at approximately 0305 hours, Parks Highway Alaska State Troopers received a report of a assault dv in the Cantwell area.  An investigation disclosed that Sam George, age 46, of Cantwell  assaulted a family member.  George also broke property of the household member.  George was arrested and remanded to the Fairbanks Correctional and held without bail pending arraignment.  Alcohol is a factor in this incident.   

    Posted on 8/6/2024 10:43:00 AM by DPS\gdyoung

  • AK24078239

    Location: Tok
    Type: VCOR

    Dispatch Text:

    On August 6, 2024 at about 1:00 PM, Alaska State Troopers conducted a traffic stop on a moving vehicle for a safety violation. Troopers contacted Connie Sanford, age 62 of Tok, on the vehicle. She was later determined to have been on conditions of release in court cases 4TO-23-00064CR and 4TO-23-00065CR and had been in violation of those conditions of release. Charges have been forwarded against Connie in this incident. 

    Posted on 8/6/2024 3:59:04 PM by DPS\sohessler

  • AK24078019

    Location: Fairbanks
    Type: A4, Resist Arrest, MICS5, MICS6

    Dispatch Text:

    On August 5th, 2024, at about 2152, Troopers responded to the area of Chena Point Ave in Fairbanks for a suspicious vehicle parked on a private road. Upon contact with the occupants of the vehicle and further investigation, Ashley Estep, was arrested for Assault 4, Resisting Arrest, MICS 6, and MICS 5. Ashley was transported to FCC without further incident.

    Posted on 8/6/2024 11:38:05 PM by DPS\jwconnolly

E Detachment ...No news reported.

Headquarters ...No news reported.

AK Wildlife Troopers

  • AK24077761

    Location: Soldotna AK
    Type: Retain King Salmon during closed season

    Dispatch Text:

    On August 5, 2024, the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Soldotna Post, cited Gary Mihara 78 YOA of Aiea, HI, for retaining a King Salmon caught on the Kenai River during the closed season. Arraignment is set in Kenai District Court.

    Posted on 8/6/2024 2:53:23 PM by DPS\cgjohnson

  • AK24072662

    Location: Cooper Landing
    Type: Fishing with a fixed weighted Treble hook Failure to release snagged fish

    Dispatch Text:

    On July 23, 2024, the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Soldotna Post, cited Kenneth Jenkins 34 YOA from Anchorage, AK, and Estelina Paasi 17 YOA from Anchorage for fishing using a fixed weighted treble hook in fresh water and for failing to release snagged fish. Bail for each is set at $120.00 in Kenai District Court

    Posted on 8/6/2024 3:36:02 PM by DPS\cgjohnson

  • AK24075646

    Location: Soldotna AK
    Type: Failure to Release Snagged Fish

    Dispatch Text:

    On July 30, 2024, the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Soldotna Post, cited Andrew Piader, 62 YOA, from Merlin, OR, for failing to release snagged fish in fresh water. Bail is set at $120.00 in Kenai District Court.

    Posted on 8/6/2024 9:44:32 PM by DPS\cgjohnson

  • AK24078423

    Location: Soldotna AK
    Type: Failure to Release Snagged Fish No valid Sport Fishing License

    Dispatch Text:

    On August 6, 2024, the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Soldotna Post, cited  Jakob Kooly, 28 YOA, from, Soldotna, AK, for failing to release snagged fish in fresh water. Bail is set at $120.00 in Kenai District Court. Jeffrey Berger of Williston, ND was cited for not having a valid Sport Fishing license. Bail is set at $220.00 in Kenai District Court.

    Posted on 8/6/2024 10:28:01 PM by DPS\cgjohnson

  • AK24075210

    Location: Kenai
    Type: Failure to mark personal use caught fish

    Dispatch Text:

    On 07/29/2024 Alaska Wildlife Troopers contacted Tylor Acheson (23) and John Lorenz (52), both of Anchorage, at the Pillars boat launch in kenai. Investigation revealed that both Acheson and Lorenz failed to mark their personal use permits and clip the tails of fish they had caught in the Kenai River Personal use dipnet fishery. Both were cited for failure to mark personal use caught fish (clip tails) and warned for failure to record.

    Posted on 8/6/2024 7:19:19 PM by DPS\jjwhitby

  • AK24075123

    Location: Soldotna AK
    Type: Failure to Release Snagged Fish

    Dispatch Text:

    On July 29, 2024, the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Soldotna Post, cited Chad Romig, 46 YOA, from Bowerston, OH, for failing to release snagged fish in fresh water. Bail is set at $120.00 in Kenai District Court.

    Posted on 8/6/2024 6:02:16 PM by DPS\cgjohnson

  • AK24075132

    Location: Soldotna AK
    Type: Failure to Release Snagged Fish

    Dispatch Text:

    On July 29, 2024, the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Soldotna Post, cited Cezary Komarzewski, 65 YOA, from Hasbrouck, NJ, for failing to release snagged fish in fresh water. Bail is set at $120.00 in Kenai District Court.

    Posted on 8/6/2024 5:08:10 PM by DPS\cgjohnson

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.