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 Mar. 10 at 8:51 a.m., Alaska State Troopers received a report from a person who believed someone was inside his neighbor’s house. The owner was away in Texas for the winter, and the house was supposed to be empty. Investigation revealed that forced entry had been made into the back door of the residence, and a gun safe had been cut into with power tools. While searching the exterior of the residence, Michael Curtiss, 35, of Nikiski, was located lying in the snow behind the house, attempting to hide. Curtiss was taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility on two charges of first-degree burglary, third-degree criminal mischief, fifth-degree criminal mischief, and violating conditions of release.
On Mar. 10 at 10:27 p.m., Alaska State Troopers received a report of an overturned semi-truck, pulling a trailer, near Mile 37.5 of the Sterling Highway. Investigation revealed that the driver, Howard Dyer, 51, of Anchorage, was attempting to negotiate a right curve in the roadway when his trailer began to overturn, causing the truck to overturn as well. Howard suffered a small scratch to his forehead, but declined Emergency Medical Services. Vulcan Towing responded to take possession of the truck and trailer. Howard reported to have been wearing his seat belt during the incident. Alcohol was not a factor.
On Mar. 11 at 12:33 a.m., Alaska State Troopers were patrolling in the Nikiski area when they came across a gray Honda Accord, driven by Larry Vansky, 75, of Nikiski. Investigation revealed that he was operating the motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Vansky also refused to provided a breath sample. He was charged with driving under the influence and refusal to submit to a chemical test and was taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility.
On Mar. 8, Daria Black, 28, of Anchorage, was cited by the Seward Alaska Wildlife Troopers for not having a sport fishing license in possession and for ice fishing with too many lines at Grouse Lake. Bail was set at $290 in the Seward Court.
UPDATE: Anchor Point Officer Involved Shooting
The Alaska State Troopers personnel who utilized their service weapons in this incident are identified as: Trooper John King, assigned as a Patrol Trooper at the A-North Detachment Seward Post. He is a six-year veteran of the Alaska State Troopers. Trooper Recruit Sarah Herrin, assigned as a Patrol Trooper Recruit at the A-North Detachment Soldotna Post. She is an almost three-month veteran with the Alaska State Troopers. She is a recent lateral-hire who has more than seven years of experience as a law enforcement officer in the State of Alaska.
Original Text: On Mar. 11 at 1:55 p.m., Alaska State Troopers (AST) was notified of a 911 disconnect phone call into the Soldotna Public Safety Communications Center. The location of the incident was able to be obtained, and AST responded to a residence off Northfork Road in the Anchor Point area. Once AST arrived, an adult female, later identified as Mary Kate Field, 32, of Anchor Point, was contacted in front of the residence in the driveway. AST personnel announced their presence while approaching and gave commands for Field to show her hands, but Field did not comply. During the contact, Field produced a firearm and brandished it toward AST, who fired upon her, and she sustained life-threatening injuries. Life-saving measures were immediately rendered to Field. Dispatch was notified of shots fired at 2:22 p.m., and Emergency Medical Services was requested. Field succumbed to her injuries a short time later. Field’s next of kin has been notified. The Alaska Bureau of Investigation is conducting the investigation into the totality of the circumstances, with assistance from the Soldotna-based General Investigative Unit (GIU). The AST personnel that utilized their service weapon during the incident will be identified after the mandatory 72-hour administrative leave. At the conclusion of the investigation, it will be forwarded to the Office of Special Prosecutions for review.
On Mar. 11 at 12:56 p.m., Alaska State Troopers received multiple reports of a female causing a traffic hazard in the area of Mile 89 of the Sterling Highway. Investigation revealed that Leah Brooks, 32, of Soldotna, had nearly caused multiple collisions by running across the highway in front of oncoming vehicles. Brooks was arrested for disorderly conduct and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility.
On Mar. 11 at 12:38 a.m., Kenai Police Dispatch received a 911 call reporting an intoxicated driver who was believed to be heading toward Soldotna from Mile 8.5 on the Kenai Spur Highway. Police located the vehicle on Bridge Access Road and conducted a traffic stop. Zachary J. Legner, 38, of California, was arrested for driving under the influence and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility.
On Mar. 11 at 11:41 p.m., Kenai police conducted a routine traffic stop. A passenger in the vehicle, Richard A. Mattox, 60, of Kenai, was arrested for violating conditions of release and taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On Mar. 9 at 8:41 p.m., Kenai police responded to the area of Marathon Road and the Kenai Spur Highway for the report of a disturbance and contacted Rhonda I. Thompson, 38, of Soldotna. After investigation, she was arrested for second-degree criminal trespass and taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On Mar. 12 at 1:47 p.m., Kenai police responded to a local business near Mile 10 of the Kenai Spur Highway to assist probation officers with someone in custody found to be in possession of a controlled substance. Kenai police officers arrived on scene and contacted Andy Campos, 58, of Kenai, who was taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility and charged with fourth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance and violating conditions of release.
On Mar. 12 at about 6:40 p.m., Kenai police observed a vehicle spin-out and strike a snow bank near Fourth Avenue and Gill Street. Officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle, and investigation revealed the driver, identified as Tatiana M. Active, 52, of Kenai, to be under the influence. Active was arrested for driving under the influence and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility.
On Mar. 15 at 2:34 p.m., Soldotna police contacted Troy Holzheimer, 42, of Palmer, in Soldotna Creek Park after a noise complaint was received. Holzheimer was arrested on an outstanding warrant and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility on $250 bail.
On Mar. 15 at 6:25 p.m., Soldotna police contacted a vehicle in the parking lot of the Tesoro 2 Go on the Kenai Spur Highway at Marydale Avenue after a REDDI (Report Every Dangerous Driver Immediately) report was received. Investigation led to Malissa Percival, 31, of Clam Gulch, being issued a municipal citation for driving while license suspended and released.
On Mar. 9 at 4:44 p.m., Soldotna police responded to the Sportsman’s Warehouse for a shoplifter. Investigation showed that Georgia Tackett, 41, of Soldotna, took $295.01 worth of merchandise from the store without payment. Tackett was also found to be in possession of $102.13 worth of merchandise from Safeway that was also stolen. Tackett was arrested for third-degree and fourth-degree theft and violating her court-ordered conditions of release and taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On Mar. 8 at 12:11 a.m., Soldotna police stopped a vehicle on Park Avenue near the Kenai Spur Highway. Jacob Allen, 26, of Soldotna, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On Mar. 8 at about 12:40 a.m., Soldotna police received a REDDI (Report Every Dangerous Driver Immediately) report involving a vehicle leaving the area of the Sterling Highway and East Mount Redoubt Avenue. Officers located the involved vehicle near Mile 92 of the Sterling Highway. Investigation led to the arrest of Zachary Miller, 34, of California, for driving under the influence of alcohol and driving while license suspended. Miller was taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On Mar. 7 at 2:31 p.m., Soldotna police responded to the Central Peninsula Hospital for a trespassing complaint involving an intoxicated male. Joseph Chikoyak, 45, of Kenai, was arrested for second-degree criminal trespass and fourth-degree theft and taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On Mar. 6 at about 1:30 a.m., Soldotna police responded to the Central Peninsula Hospital because a woman presented at the emergency room for treatment after an assault. Investigation led to Fred Baker, 57, of Soldotna, being arrested for second-degree assault and taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On Mar. 6 at about 11:40 p.m., Soldotna police stopped a vehicle on the Sterling Highway near Riverside Drive. Christopher Kvasnikoff, 26, of Nanwalek, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On Mar. 2 at 5:07 p.m., Soldotna police responded to a motor vehicle collision on Birch Street at Shady Lane. One of the involved drivers, Patrick Russell, 68, of Soldotna, was issued a municipal citation for driving while his license was revoked and released.
On Mar. 16 at about 3:40 p.m., Alaska State Troopers responded to a residence in the Kasilof area for a reported domestic disturbance. Investigation revealed that James Moore, 52, of Kasilof, assaulted two people in the residence and struck one person in the head with a metal pipe, causing injuries. Moore was contacted while he was driving away from the residence and was found to be driving while under the influence of alcohol and with a revoked license. Moore was arrested and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility without bail on the charges of second-degree and third-degree assault, driving under the influence, and driving while license revoked. The victim was taken to the hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
On Mar. 16 at 7:52 p.m., Alaska State Troopers received a report of a disturbance in Nikiski. Investigation revealed that Nicholas Demont, 25, of Nikiski, had assaulted a family member while fighting for control over a pair of scissors. Demont was arrested for fourth-degree assault (domestic violence) and was taken to Wildwood Pretrial without bail, pending arraignment.
