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 Feb. 17 at about 1:30 a.m., Alaska State Troopers received a report of a vehicle stolen from the Edgewater Lodge in Soldotna. At 5:13 a.m., troopers located the stolen vehicle on Echo Lake Road and conducted a traffic stop. The vehicle came to a stop on Muleshoe Road, where troopers contacted the driver, Aaron Wirtanen, 22, of Soldotna. Investigation revealed he had a canceled license with prior convictions. Wirtanen was arrested for first-degree vehicle theft and driving while license canceled and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility.
On Feb. 16 at about 12:20 a.m., Alaska State Troopers conducted a traffic stop for misuse of plates in Soldotna. After investigation, Aaron Wirtanen, 22, of Soldotna, was arrested and taken to Wildwood Pretrial for driving while license canceled, not having insurance, switching the registration plates, and for a warrant for failure to appear.
On Feb. 15 at about 3:00 p.m., Alaska State Troopers responded to a residence off Sacaloff Dive. in Soldotna. While at the property, Andrew Steven Williams, 32 of Soldotna, was contacted. After investigation revealed he had two outstanding arrest warrants for failure to appear for arraignment on original charges of driving while license revoked and petition to revoke probation, Williams was arrested and taken to Wildwood Pretrial on $500 bail.
On Feb. 15 at 4:39 p.m., Alaska State Troopers stopped a vehicle near Mile 153 of the Sterling Highway for a traffic violation and also contacted a passenger in the vehicle, Valerie McDole, 34, of Anchor Point, who was found to be on conditions of release in several prior criminal cases. Her conditions prohibited her from being in contact with the driver of the vehicle. McDole was arrested and taken to the Homer Jail, pending arraignment.
On Feb. 14 at 10:32 a.m., Alaska State Troopers conducted a traffic stop on Murray Lane and the Sterling Highway for a seat belt violation. When investigation revealed that John Amend, 49, of Kenai, was operating the vehicle while under the influence of drugs, on a suspended license, and without insurance, he was arrested and taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On Feb. 14 at 10:43 a.m., Alaska State Troopers responded to a residence off Rambling Road in Nikiski. While there, contact was made with Erik James Loonsfoot, 49, of Kenai. Investigation revealed Loonsfoot had an outstanding no bail arrest warrant for driving under the influence and that he was in possession of methamphetamine. Loonsfoot was arrested and taken to Wildwood Pretrial without bail on the warrant and for the additional charge of fourth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance.
On Feb. 13 at 8:09 a.m., Kenai police responded to a call at a local Kenai residence. After investigation, Elouise Kignak, 54, of Kenai, was arrested on two counts of fourth-degree assault (domestic violence) and violating conditions of release and was taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On Feb. 13 at about 4:30 p.m., Alaska State Troopers responded to a residence off Baranoff Street in Nikiski. While at the residence, Rena Makhana Akaka, 37, of Nikiski, was contacted. When investigation revealed she had two outstanding arrest warrants for failure to appear at court on original charges of two counts of violating a third-party custodian’s duties and fourth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance, Akaka was taken to Wildwood Pretrial on $500 bail.
On Feb. 13 at 7:03 p.m., Alaska State Troopers were notified of an assault in Nikiski. After investigation, Natasha Harrington, 30, of Nikiski, was arrested for fourth-degree assault and taken to Wildwood Correctional Facility.
On Feb. 13 at 7:45 p.m., Alaska State Troopers stopped a vehicle near Mile 160 of the Sterling Highway for having a headlight out and showing white light to the rear. During the stop, it was determined that the driver, Anna Moore 32, of Anchor Point, did not have valid vehicle insurance. Moore was issued a summons to appear in court and released.
On Feb. 13 at 10:04 p.m., Soldotna Alaska State Troopers stopped a blue Jeep Wrangler in Soldotna after recognizing the driver as Darren Sanger, 36, of Soldotna, who is known to have a revoked license. Sanger was issued a misdemeanor citation for driving while license revoked.
On Feb. 12 at 8:58 a.m., Soldotna police responded to a residence on Sohi Lane for a disturbance. John Acovak, 51, of Soldotna, was arrested for third-degree assault and taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On Feb. 12 at about 10:40 p.m., Soldotna police responded to a residence on East Corral Avenue for a disturbance. Johnny Wright, 57, of Pennsylvania, was arrested for fourth-degree assault and taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On Feb. 12 at 6:18 p.m., Soldotna Alaska State Troopers received a report of a suspicious vehicle parked at a business parking lot on Kalifornsky Beach Road in Soldotna. Troopers responded, and investigation revealed that Sarahbeth Martin, 36, of Soldotna, was operating the vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicating substance. She was also found to be in possession of a controlled substance. Martin was arrested for driving under the influence and fifth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance and taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On Feb. 9 at about 12:40 p.m., Soldotna police stopped a vehicle on the Sterling Highway near Devin Drive. Mark Smith, 26, of Nikiski, was arrested on an outstanding warrant and for driving on a revoked license and taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On Feb. 8 at 8:55 a.m., Soldotna police received a report of a hit-and-run collision on East Poppy Lane. Investigation led to Zarren Nelson, 21, of Soldotna, being issued a criminal citation for leaving the scene of the collision and released.
On Feb. 6 at 1:42 a.m., Soldotna police responded to the Maverick Saloon for a disturbance. Keegan Dubendorf, 23, of Kenai, was arrested for violating his court-ordered conditions of release and for being a drunken person on licensed premises and taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On Dec. 22, 2021, while conducting an audit of Alaska resident licenses and permits, Soldotna Alaska Wildlife Troopers discovered that Timothy McCreary, 46, of Utah, obtained a 2021 resident sport fishing and hunting license. Investigation determined that McCreary did not reside in Alaska and did not meet the requirements for a resident license. McCreary was issued a citation for false statement on a license application, with bail set at $320 in Palmer District Court.
On Dec. 5, 2021, while conducting an audit of Alaska resident licenses and permits, Soldotna Alaska Wildlife Troopers discovered that Greggory Moore, 22, of Wasilla, obtained a 2021 resident sport fishing license and Upper Cook Inlet Personal Use Permit. Investigation determined that Moore did not meet the requirements for Alaska residency at the time of the application. Moore was issued a citation for false statement on a license application, with bail set at $320 in Palmer District Court.
