Anchorage man accused of turning rifle on two officers

ANCHORAGE (AP) -- A 21-year-old man was arrested after he pointed a rifle at two Anchorage police officers before surrendering the weapon, police said.

Jeromy R. Kroto of Anchorage was arrested early Friday morning at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in the city's Spenard area. Kroto was later arraigned on one count of kidnapping, which carries a maximum penalty of 99 years.

Kroto also faces four felony counts of third-degree assault, one misdemeanor charge of fourth-degree assault, one misdemeanor count of fourth-degree misconduct involving weapons and a charge of drunken driving.

He is being held on $125,000 bail at Cook Inlet Pre-Trial Facility in lieu.

According to court documents, Kroto and his girlfriend, Mariah Craig, were at the hotel visiting friends when the couple got into an argument and Kroto left. Kroto returned with a rifle and ordered a hotel clerk to take him to the room where his girlfriend was, court papers said.

At the room, the clerk tried to leave, but Kroto ordered her to stay until someone opened the door, according to court papers.

Officers Jeff Gregg and Glenn Daily arrived soon after and heard yelling down a hallway. Gregg turned a corner, and as soon as Kroto saw the officer, he raised his rifle into a firing position, according to court documents.

Gregg backed around the corner, but Kroto followed, still pointing the rifle at the officer and then pointing it at Daily, according to court papers. Daily drew his own gun and ordered Kroto to throw the rifle down and put his hands in the air. Kroto eventually complied and was arrested.

Police said Kroto's blood alcohol level was .142, almost twice the legal driving limit of .08.