Information for this report was taken from publicly available law enforcement records and contains arrest and citation information. Anyone listed in this report is presumed innocent.
On Nov. 26 at 9:39 p.m., Alaska State Troopers received a 911 call reporting a domestic dispute occurring on Myron Avenue in Nikiski. Investigation revealed that Glenn Rodman, Jr., 39, of Soldotna, was intoxicated and had hit the victim in the face. Rodman, Jr. resisted arrest and kneed a trooper. He was arrested for fourth-degree assault (domestic violence), fourth-degree assault against a police officer, and resisting arrest and was taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility without bail.
On Sept. 26, Alaska Wildlife Troopers were notified by Heath Tucker, 47, of Sterling, that he had shot a sub-legal moose in the Kasilof area. Investigation revealed Tucker killed a sub-legal moose off a trail in Kasilof. Tucker was issued a citation on Nov. 27. The mandatory court appearance citation was filed with the Kenai Court.
On Nov. 28 at about 6:30 a.m., Alaska State Troopers responded to a domestic disturbance in Kenai. Investigation revealed Samual Myers, 19, of Kenai, had assaulted two family members, interfered with a domestic violence report, and damaged property. Myers, who was on felony probation, was arrested for two counts of fourth-degree assault (domestic violence), fifth-degree criminal mischief (domestic violence), interfering with the report of domestic violence, and probation violations and was taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On Nov. 28 at 8:19 p.m., the Soldotna Alaska State Troopers K-9 Team conducted a traffic stop near Main Street on a blue 2002 Dodge Intrepid for misuse of registration tags. The driver was identified as Tamsen Brewer, 37, of Soldotna. After a check in the Alaska Public Safety Information Network revealed Brewer’s license is cancelled for several prior driving while license cancelled convictions within the last 10 years, Brewer was issued a citation with a mandatory court appearance, and she and the vehicle were released to a responsible driver.
On Nov. 28 at 8:54 p.m., the Soldotna Alaska State Troopers K-9 Team responded to a 911 call reporting a domestic dispute occurring at a residence located on State Park Road in Funny River. Upon trooper arrival, investigation revealed that William Magula, 67, of Funny River, was intoxicated and had gotten into an argument. The argument had escalated, and a physical altercation ensued. Magula was arrested for fourth-degree assault (domestic violence) and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility without bail.
On Nov. 28 at 11:17 p.m., the Soldotna Alaska State Troopers K-9 Team conducted a traffic stop near Funny River Road and Lake Road on a silver 2001 Ford Escape for traveling above the posted speed limit. The driver was identified as Andrew S. Williams, 31, of Funny River. Investigation revealed that Williams’s license is suspended for a Department of Motor Vehicles points system violation and that he has several prior driving while license suspended citations and convictions within the last 10 years. He was issued a citation with a mandatory court appearance.
On Nov. 27 at 1:45 p.m., Alaska State Troopers conducted a motor vehicle stop at Mile 92 of the Sterling Highway, within the Sterling Highway Safety Corridor. After investigation, the driver, Kenneth Lee Barnes, Jr., 27, of Soldotna, was arrested for driving while license revoked, with numerous convictions within the past 10 years, and for violating conditions of release and was taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On Nov. 28 at 1:50 about a.m., Kenai police conducted a routine traffic stop on Kalifornsky Beach Road near Bridge Access Road. Abelino J. Archuleta, Jr., 49, of Kasilof, was issued a summons for driving while license revoked.
On Nov. 28 at about 7:00 p.m., Kenai police received a call reporting a person who might be violating conditions of release at a residence near Harbor Avenue. Police arrived on scene and contacted Clara Hootch, 40, of Kenai, who was arrested for fifth-degree criminal mischief (domestic violence) and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility.
On Nov. 25 at 6:23 a.m., Kenai police responded to a REDDI (Report Ever Dangerous Driver Immediately) report about a male driver who left a residence near Baleen Avenue in Kenai while under the influence. Officers contacted the suspect male, Laumata L. Lefao, 35, of Kenai, who was arrested for driving under the influence and taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On Nov. 25 at 6:31 p.m., Kenai police received a report for a domestic violence protective order violation near a residence at Mile 14 of the Kenai Spur Highway. After contacting all parties involved on scene, Brandon M. Elizalde, 29, of Kenai, was arrested for violating a protective order and taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On Nov. 30 at 12:24 a.m., Alaska State Troopers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Bear Lake Road in Seward on a white Ford pickup truck for an equipment violation. The vehicle failed to stop and drove to a residence off Tiehacker Road. Investigation revealed that Collin McCarty, 28, of Seward, was the driver of the vehicle and that he was intoxicated. McCarty was arrested and taken to the Seward Jail to conduct the driving under the influence test process when he refused to conduct the chemical test. McCarty was remanded into the Seward Jail for failure to stop at the direction of a peace officer, driving under the influence, and refusal to submit to a chemical test, and with bail set to be released to a sober third party on his own recognizance.
On Nov. 29 at 6:41 p.m., Alaska State Troopers conducted a traffic stop on a black Ford Ranger for a moving violation on Scott Way in Seward and contacted the driver, Andrea Morris, 44, of Seward. The registration of the vehicle was expired as of 2019, but a piece of blue tape was covering the 19 registration sticker. Morris was arrested and issued a misdemeanor summons, with a court date set, for the charge of misuse of registration, along with multiple other violations. She was released on her own recognizance.
On Nov. 19 at 10:31 p.m., Soldotna Alaska State Troopers stopped a Chevrolet truck on Cache Street in Kasilof for a moving violation. After investigation, Tony Watson, 57, of Anchor Point, was issued a summons to court for driving while license suspended and no liability insurance.
On Nov. 24 at 3:59 p.m., Alaska State Troopers received a call about a disturbance at a residence on Tovarish Road in Ninilchik. A male reported that Grace Magness, 60, of Ninilchik, had assaulted another male. While troopers were responding, the caller reported that Magness had come at him with a knife, and he had disarmed her. Investigation led to Magness being arrested and taken to the Homer Jail on charges of third-degree assault, multiple counts of fourth-degree assault, and fifth-degree criminal mischief.
On Nov. 21 at about 4:30 p.m., Alaska State Troopers stopped a vehicle near Mile 122 of the Sterling Highway because an occupant of the vehicle had warrants for her arrest. Investigation led to the arrest of Kayla Sass, 30, of Seward, on multiple outstanding warrants. Sean Spiers, 36, of Seward, was contacted as the driver of the vehicle, and he was found to have outstanding warrants for his arrest. Spiers also had a revoked license and was in violation of conditions of release in a separate criminal case. Spiers and Sass were arrested and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility.
On Nov. 29, Alaska State Troopers conducted a traffic stop on Crooked Creek Road in Kasilof. After investigation revealed that Linda Lowder, 68, of Kasilof, was driving while under the influence of alcohol, she was arrested and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility.
On Nov. 23, at about 5:00 p.m., Alaska State Troopers Dispatch received a report of a dangerous driver. The caller reported the vehicle had slid off of the road three times and was swerving and nearly running into oncoming traffic. Troopers responded to the area and located the vehicle just after it forced two separate vehicles off of the roadway. Troopers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and observed a tree branch stuck into the back of the car. After investigation revealed that Raphael Ross, 26, of Eagle River, was driving while under the influence of alcohol, he was arrested and taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On Dec. 1 at 2:02 p.m., Alaska State Troopers responded to a residence on English Avenue in Nikiski at the report of a verbal disturbance. After investigation, Nicholas D. Demont, 27, of Nikiski, was arrested for first-degree unlawful contact and violating conditions of release and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility.
On Dec. 1 at 5:57 p.m., Alaska State Troopers conducted a traffic stop on Salmon Creek Road on a black Dodge for bearing no front license plate. Investigation revealed that John Hoogland, 65, of Seward, was driving while his license was revoked, with prior convictions. Hoogland was arrested and given a misdemeanor citation for driving while license revoked, with a court date set. The truck was released to a third party, and Hoogland was released on his own recognizance.
On Dec. 2 at about 5:00 a.m., Anchor Point Alaska State Troopers were dispatched to a residence off North Fork Road in Anchor Point in response to a report of a physical disturbance. After investigation showed that Lavera Dela-Cruz, 43, of Anchorage, had committed an assault, causing physical injury, she was arrested for third-degree assault (domestic violence) taken to the Homer Jail. She had two prior assault convictions within the preceding 10 years.
On Nov. 30 at 12:18 a.m., Soldotna police responded to a residence on Redoubt Avenue for a disturbance. Barbara Jones, 59, of Soldotna, was contacted and given a disorderly conduct warning for her actions. At 12:57 a.m., officers responded back to the residence after another complaint was received. Jones was arrested for disorderly conduct and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility.
On Nov. 24 at 7:32 p.m., Soldotna police contacted Joseph Chikoyak, 47, of Kenai, who had been consuming alcohol in violation of his court-ordered conditions of release. Chikoyak was arrested and taken to Wildwood Pretrial without bail.
On Dec. 1 at 6:48 p.m., MatCom dispatch contacted Alaska State Troopers to report a vessel was sinking near Whittier. Further investigation revealed a group of two vessels with two persons onboard each vessel had been hunting deer on Esther Island in Prince William Sound and were returning separately to Whittier on Wednesday afternoon.
One of the vessels arrived in Whittier at about 3:30 p.m. The other vessel, a 20-foot aluminum Lund skiff operated by Luki Akelkok, 28, of Dillingham, with passenger Stephan Weingarth, 28, of Anchorage, and four deer and two seals on board, encountered inclement weather conditions on the way back to Whittier.
At 5:53 p.m., Weingarth contacted the other boat operator, who was already en route back to Anchorage, to report the bow of their vessel was underwater, they were five minutes outside of Whittier, and they were sinking. On-scene weather at the time was described by the witness as seas of six feet with whitecaps on top of the waves, winds blowing 40 knots, and dark skies. USCG (U.S. Coast Guard) D17 Juneau and USCG Sector Anchorage were contacted, and they immediately coordinated a multi SAR (Search and Rescue) platform response utilizing a vessel and aircraft from Valdez. However, their response was slowed down due to bad weather while en route to the scene.
On Dec. 1at 10:13 p.m., the USCG reported one unidentified person was located deceased and wearing a life jacket about five miles northeast of Whittier in Passage Canal, near Trinity Point. In addition, the missing vessel was located, and one person was still missing and unaccounted for. The USCG continued to remain on scene and resume the search. On Dec. 2 at 3:10 a.m., Whittier Police Department met with USCG vessel crews to receive and tentatively identify the recovered remains as Stefan Weingarth. The remains are being transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Anchorage. Search and Rescue efforts continued to be hampered with severe weather conditions as winds are blowing 50-60 knots. Alaska Wildlife Troopers have responded to Whittier to assist with the search. A USCG cutter from Seward has also responded and is on scene. In addition, a USCG helicopter from Kodiak is anticipated to assist as well. Loki Akelkok remains a missing person. All next of kin have been notified, and the search for Luki Akelkok continues.
The Alaska State Troopers wish to thank the USCG, their aircraft, and boat crews for their response and valiant efforts. In addition, Alaska State Troopers wishes to thank the Whittier Police Department for their assistance.
On Dec. 3 at 7:22 p.m., the Kenai Police and Fire Departments responded to Walmart after the store received a report from an individual claiming to be inside with a bomb. In the interest of safety, Walmart was evacuated without incident. The store was searched by Kenai police and store personnel. No bomb or other incendiary devices were located. About one hour after the closure, the store reopened for business. The investigation is ongoing.
On Dec. 3 at about 4:10 p.m., the Alaska State Troopers K9 Unit conducted a traffic stop near Mile 156 of the Sterling Highway in an attempt to contact Gary Robbins, 54, of Homer, for multiple active warrants. Robbins was contacted as the driver, arrested, and taken to the Homer Jail with bail set at $350 on the original charge of driving while license canceled and for three outstanding warrants.
