Public safety briefs for Feb. 7, 2021

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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 Jan. 30, Alaska State Troopers conducted a traffic stop for moving and equipment violations near Mile 75.5 of the Sterling Highway. Investigation revealed that the driver, Emil Ruk, 46, of Kenai, had a felony warrant for his arrest and that he was in possession of and transporting a prohibited weapon (sawed-off shotgun). The passenger of the vehicle, McGerra Beck, 37, of Kenai, was found in possession of and transporting a prohibited weapon (sawed-off shotgun). Beck is a convicted felon, and, as such, she is also prohibited from possessing a firearm capable of being concealed on her person. Additionally, she is on conditions of release for felony drug charges. One of her conditions is to obey all laws. Ruk was arrested for his warrant and third-degree misconduct involving weapons. Beck was arrested for two counts of third-degree misconduct involving weapons and one count of violating conditions of release. Both Ruk and Beck were taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility.

On Jan. 31 at 1:26 a.m., Alaska State Troopers conducted a traffic stop for equipment violations in Soldotna. During the stop, troopers identified Mira Nash, 22, of Soldotna as a passenger in the vehicle, who was found to be intoxicated by alcoholic beverages and on conditions of release for prior criminal offenses, with one of her conditions stipulating she not consume alcohol. Nash was arrested for violating her conditions of release and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility.

On Jan. 31 at 4:08 a.m., Alaska State Troopers conducted a traffic stop near Kalifornsky Beach Road and KB Drive in Soldotna and contacted the driver, Jeffrey Solie 22, of Soldotna. Investigation revealed Solie was driving under the influence and had a firearm within arm’s reach of him in the vehicle. Solie was arrested and taken to Wildwood Pretrial on charges of driving under the influence and fourth-degree misconduct involving weapons.

On Jan. 31 at 4:32 a.m., Alaska State Troopers contacted Christine Bailey, 28, of Kenai, on a traffic stop on Kalifornsky Beach Road. After investigation, Bailey was arrested for driving under the influence and taken to Wildwood Pretrial.

On Jan. 30 at 9:58 p.m., Alaska State Troopers Dispatch received a report of a disturbance at a Sterling Highway address. Troopers arrived on scene and contacted the Sean Johnston, 52, of Soldotna. After investigation, he was arrested and taken to Wildwood Pretrial for two counts of fourth-degree assault (domestic violence) and a count of fifth-degree criminal mischief.

On Jan. 31 at 12:08 p.m., Alaska State Troopers stopped with a vehicle that had recently gotten stuck in a snow berm while trying to make a turn on Kalifornsky Beach Road. The driver, Steele Mahan, 22, of Soldotna, was found to have a warrant for his arrest for failure to appear for arraignment on a charge of driving while license suspended. Mahan was found to still have a suspended license, and he was also on conditions of release from previous cases. Mahan was arrested on the warrant and additionally charged with driving while license suspended and violating conditions of release and was taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility.

On Jan. 29 at 9:06 p.m. and 10:28 p.m., Alaska State Troopers (AST) received a report that Grace Magness, 59 , of Ninilchik, needed law enforcement to her residence for an emergency. AST responded to her residence both times, and investigation revealed that no actual emergency had occurred. At 11:27 p.m., Magness was arrested for one count of false report and taken to the Homer Jail.

On Jan. 31 at 1:36 p.m., Kenai police responded to a welfare check request off Evergreen Street. Brittany D. Hegwer, 30 , of Kenai, was issued a summons for violating conditions of release.

On Jan. 31 at 4:53 p.m., Kenai police conducted a traffic stop on the Kenai Spur Highway near Main Street. Garrett Cody Tikka, 28, of Soldotna, was issued a summons for driving while license revoked.

On Jan. 29 at 3:44 p.m., Kenai police responded to a local Kenai business on a report of a person with a warrant in the area. Jessica Leah Collins, 29, of Soldotna, was arrested on an Alaska State Troopers $250 failure to appear for arraignment warrant on the original charge of failing to give immediate notice of an accident and was taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility.

On Jan. 27 at 1:59 a.m., Kenai police responded to a local cab in the Kenai area with a passenger who was refusing to pay. After investigation, Henry H. Smith, 57, of Soldotna, was issues a summons for third-degree theft.

On Jan. 27 at 7:12 p.m., Kenai police responded to the area of Third Avenue for the report of a possible assault. After investigation, Dennis M. Chapman, 34, of Kenai,, was arrested for fourth-degree assault (domestic violence) and first-degree harassment and was taken to Wildwood Pretrial.

On Jan. 26 at about 2:20 p.m., Kenai police received a report of an individual violating conditions of release in the Kenai area. After investigation, Brett W. Hershberger, 39, of Soldotna, was arrested for tampering with physical evidence, fourth-degree misconduct involving a weapon, and violating conditions of release and was taken to Wildwood Pretrial.

On Jan. 26 at 8:31 p.m., Kenai police responded to the report of a possible disturbance in the area of Peninsula Avenue. After investigation, Laife E. Inkster, 34, of Soldotna, was arrested on an Alaska State Troopers $250 warrant for failure to appear on the original charge of driving while license canceled/revoked. Inkster was taken to Wildwood Pretrial.

On Jan. 31 at 12:42 p.m., Alaska State Troopers conducted a traffic stop on a sedan at Island Lake Road in Nikiski. After investigation, Travis Gene Herrick, 37, of Kenai, was issued a misdemeanor court citation for driving with a suspended license and no insurance and released on scene.

On Jan. 31 at 2:03 p.m., Alaska State Troopers responded to a report that a male, later identified as David Thomas O’Brien, 40, of Nikiski, was yelling at two males that he was going to blow them away and burn their house down. O’Brien was arrested on charges of third-degree assault, second-degree terroristic threatening, and violating conditions of release and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility without bail.

On Jan. 29 at 4:49 p.m., Alaska State Troopers received a report that Kenneth Brockman, 54, of Seward, assaulted a juvenile family member on Jan. 27 over poor grades at school. Brockman used the buckle end of a leather belt to spank the juvenile, resulting in extensive bruising observed three days later. Brockman was arrested and taken to Seward jail on one count of fourth-degree assault (domestic violence).

On Jan. 10 at 11:31 a.m., Alaska State Troopers responded to a report of a suspicious Ford F-150 on Funny River Road in Soldotna. Troopers located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. Investigation revealed the driver, Cristino Galimba Campos, 48, of Kenai, had two outstanding warrants on original charges of second-degree assault (domestic violence) and a probation violation, with a $10,000 bail. The passenger, Karli Rose Bell, 21, of Kenai, had a warrant for a probation violation. Further investigation revealed Campos was in possession of several small baggies of controlled substances. Campos was arrested on the warrants and charged with two counts of fourth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance, misuse of registration plates, and a felony misuse of registration decal. Bell was arrested on her warrant and taken to Wildwood Pretrial on $5,000 bail. Campos was taken to Wildwood Pretrial without bail.

On Jan. 22 at 9:34 p.m., Alaska State Troopers responded to a call in the Anchor Point area involving Sarah Kirk, 32, of Homer. Investigation revealed Kirk had a no bail arrest warrant stemming from a previous violation of her conditions of release. Kirk was also under pretrial supervision for a vehicle theft. Among those conditions, it states Kirk is not to consume alcohol. She was arrested for the warrant and violating her conditions of release by consuming alcohol.

■ On Jan. 6 at 4:53 p.m., Alaska State Troopers conducted a traffic stop on Shane Corbell, 27, of Homer, while he was driving in Anchor Point. After investigation, Corbell was issued a summons to appear in court for driving while license suspended.

On Feb. 2 at 4:45 p.m., following a report of a disturbance after-the-fact, Alaska State Troopers responded to a residence off McGahan Road in Nikiski. Investigation revealed that James Elwood O’Hearn, 49, of Nikiski, had been in an altercation with a family member, causing them pain and injury. O’Hearn was arrested and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility without bail on two charges of fourth-degree assault (domestic violence).

On Feb. 2 at 7:44 p.m., Alaska State Troopers responded to a report of a domestic violence assault occurring at a residence in Soldotna. Investigation revealed that John Peterson, 50, of Soldotna, had assaulted two family members in his household and stolen a cell phone during the incident. Peterson was arrested for committing two counts of fourth-degree assault (fear/injury) on one of the victims and for committing two counts of fourth-degree assault (fear/injury) and second-degree theft in relation to the second victim and was taken to Wildwood Pretrial.

On Feb. 2 at 8:28 a.m., Kenai police responded to Spruce Street regarding a possible violation. William B. Tingstad, 23, of Kenai, was arrested for violating conditions of release and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility.

On Feb. 2 at11:53 a.m., Kenai police responded to reports of a reckless driver on the Kenai Spur Highway near Swires Road. David J. Amole, 35, of Homer was arrested for reckless driving and violating conditions of release and was taken to Wildwood Pretrial.

On Feb. 1 at 9:38 a.m., Kenai police responded to an ongoing assault in the area of Strawberry Road. After investigation, Jared J. Herrmann, 24, of Kenai, was arrested for fourth-degree assault (domestic violence) and resisting arrest. Roberta M. Blunka, 45, of Kenai, was arrested for disorderly conduct and second-degree hindering prosecution. Both were taken to Wildwood Pretrial.

On Feb. 4 at 1:34 a.m., Alaska State Troopers performed a traffic stop on a vehicle on Scout Lake Loop Road for an equipment violation. After investigation, Tyler Fuxa, 28, of Soldotna, was arrested for driving while license suspended and failing to maintain insurance and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility.

On Feb. 3 at 9:09 p.m., Soldotna Alaska State Troopers Dispatch received a call that Holly Curren, 32, of Soldotna, had attempted to commit suicide. Troopers responded to her residence, and Emergency Medical Services arrived and took Curren to Central Peninsula Hospital. Investigation revealed that Curren was intoxicated and was arguing with a family member. Curren took a kitchen knife, attempted to commit suicide, and then threw the knife at a family member, hitting a leg and puncturing the skin. Curren is receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries and was given a felony summons for third-degree assault (domestic violence).

On Feb. 4 at 7:42 p.m., Alaska State Troopers performed a traffic stop for a moving violation on Kalifornsky Beach Road in Soldotna. After investigation, Robert Dixon, 44, of Kenai, was arrested and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility for driving while license suspended and failure to maintain insurance.

On Feb. 4 at 9:46 p.m., Alaska State Troopers responded to Kasilof for a reported domestic assault. Investigation revealed that Craig Fales, 51, of Clam Gulch, had assaulted a family member and had taken property valued at more than $750 by force from the victim and threatened the victim with a metal shovel. Additionally, Fales caused physical injuries to the victim during the assault and prevented the victim from calling 911 when he stole the victim’s cell phone. Fales had been convicted previously on two other occasions in the past ten years for domestic assault. Fales was arrested for first-degree robbery, second-degree theft, two counts of third-degree assault, and interfering with the report of a domestic violence crime and was taken to Wildwood Pretrial.

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