Alaska State Troopers are looking for help in identifying an unknown male caught on camera who attempted to break into the Kasilof Mercantile store early Sunday morning.
Camera footage captured a man presumably in his 30s, about 6 feet tall wearing a knit mask over his face with a black jacket and blue jeans with a backpack walk up to the store and attempt to gain entry at about 3 a.m.
Trooper spokesperson Megan Peters said the man damaged the building in an attempt to gain entry but left after several minutes. The investigation is ongoing.
Kasilof Mercantile employee John Smith said employees noticed footprints coming out of the woods to the door on the first night of fresh snowfall. No damage was done to the building, he said.
“It could only be one of three things,” Smith said. “Looking at the video it’s hard to identify the prowler.”
Smith said this is the first attempted burglary at the store this year. He said they don’t expect to make any security changes because the camera seemed to deter the prowler.
“The system works and the owner lives on the property,” Smith said. “It wouldn’t be smart to break in here because everybody is armed.”
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Soldotna troopers at 907-262-4453.
Reach Dan Balmer at daniel.balmer@peninsulaclarion.com.
