Information for this report was taken from publicly available law enforcement and public safety records and include arrest and citation information. Anyone listed in this report is presumed innocent.
On Mar. 1 at 5:22 p.m., Alaska State Troopers responded to a motor vehicle collision at the intersection of BYE Drive and KB drive. Tara Chipman, 42, of Kenai, was driving a silver Dodge vehicle, and Emil Wilson, 48, of Kenai, was driving a blue Subaru. No one was injured. No foul play was suspected, and everyone was wearing their seat belt.
On Mar. 1 at 10:44 p.m., Anchor Point Alaska State Troopers received multiple 911 calls regarding a house fire in Nikolaevsk Village. Derek Jokay, 46, was seen walking away from the home immediately after the fire was discovered. Investigation led to Jokay’s arrest for second-degree arson. He was taken to Homer Jail without incident.
On Mar. 2 at 2:11 p.m., Alaska State Troopers recovered a stolen vehicle in the parking lot of Cook’s Tesoro. The vehicle was originally stolen from the Seward area. There are no suspects or leads at this time. The vehicle was returned to its owner. Troopers are requesting the public’s help for any leads. Contact Soldotna Dispatch at 907-262-4453.
On Mar. 3, Alaska State Troopers responded to a suspicious vehicle parked at a Sterling residence. Mason Eugene Baldwin, 42, of Soldotna, was contacted and found to be engaged in an active burglary of the residence. Subsequent to the investigation, Baldwin was arrested and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility on charges of first-degree burglary, attempted second-degree theft, possession of burglary tools, fourth-degree criminal mischief , and violating conditions of release.
On Feb. 27 at 7:37 a.m., Alaska State Troopers were notified of a motor vehicle crash on North Fork Road near the Anchor River bridge. Investigation showed that Shannon Oleson, 49, of Anchor Point, had lost control of her vehicle while driving through standing water. The vehicle crossed the road, struck the guardrail, and then went over the guardrail. Oleson was not injured in the crash.
On Mar. 3 at 10:31 a.m., Alaska State Troopers were notified of a missing 12-year-old from a Sterling residence. A search of the area was conducted, using Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Central Emergency Services, and numerous members of the public. The child was located and is safe at his residence. Troopers thank all the volunteers who assisted with the search.
On Mar. 3 at 6:07 p.m., Alaska State Troopers responded to a two-vehicle collision on Deville Road in Soldotna. Investigation revealed that Logan Showalter, 27, of Sterling, was driving his Dodge pickup southbound on Deville Road, when he crossed into the oncoming lane, causing a Ford Explorer, driven by Scott Jackson, 58, of Soldotna, to go into the ditch to avoid a collision. The Explorer sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene. Seat belts were worn by all occupants.
On Mar. 1 at 5:31 p.m., Alaska State Troopers were advised of an accident near Mile 71.3 of the Seward Highway. Investigation revealed that Robert Bornt, 63, of Homer, was driving a red Ford F350 southbound on the Seward Highway, towing a 29-foot boat. There were two other passengers in the vehicle, Anthony Brown, 24, of Homer, and Brenda Martin, 59, of Homer. Bornt was attempting to negotiate a left curve, uphill, in the roadway, when the rear of the vehicle began to lose traction. The truck swung around in the opposite direction and jackknifed with the boat. The boat pushed the vehicle backwards across the northbound lane and into the ditch on the northbound side of the highway. Both the truck and boat suffered substantial damage. Vulcan Towing responded to take possession of the vehicle and boat. None of the occupants reported any injuries and declined Emergency Medical Services. All occupants reported to be wearing their seat belts during the incident. Alcohol was not a factor.
On Mar. 1 at 6:43 a.m., Kenai police received a report about an individual in a local business who had warrants for his arrest. Officers arrived and detained Andrew J. Hoke, 22, of Kenai. Records confirmed that Hoke had several warrants. Hoke was arrested and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility. The Soldotna Alaska State Troopers warrants were for failure to appear for pretrial conference hearing on the original charge of violating conditions of release, $500 bail; failure to appear for pretrial conference hearing on the original charges of fourth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance and violating conditions of release, $500 bail; arrest warrant for the original charges of violating conditions of release and fourth-degree theft, $250 bail.
On Mar. 1, at 4:34 a.m., Kenai police responded to a disturbance at a residence and contacted all parties involved. After investigation, William R. Toohey, 23, of Eagle River, was arrested for fourth-degree assault (domestic violence) and taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On Feb. 27 at 1:39 p.m., the Pretrial Enforcement Division contacted the Kenai Police Department, requesting that a unit respond to Overland Avenue and Mission Avenue in Old Town Kenai. Officers responded to the corner of Overland and Mission, where Diane D. Vinberg, 28, of Soldotna, was contacted and charged with fourth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance and was taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On Mar. 4 at 6:31 a.m., Alaska State Troopers responded to a motor vehicle crash with a moose near Mile 167 of the Sterling Highway. Investigation showed that Ashley Morey, 25, of Homer, and her two children were traveling south bound on the Sterling Highway when a moose ran into the roadway. Their vehicle struck the moose, causing damage to the vehicle and possible injuries to Morey and the two children. All three were taken to the Homer Hospital for evaluation.
On Mar. 4 at about 2:00 p.m., Alaska State Troopers responded to a residence on Arness Road for a disturbance. Investigation revealed that Michael Call, 50, of Nikiski, had committed an assault. Call was arrested and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility without bail.
On Mar. 3 at 7:36 p.m., Alaska State Troopers were dispatched to a report of a snowmachine accident in Soldotna. Investigation revealed that a 16-year-old male, of Soldotna, had been injured when his snowmachine collided with several trees. The juvenile was not wearing a helmet. He was taken by helicopter to Anchorage for medical treatment.
On Mar. 5 at about 11:30 a.m., Alaska State Troopers received a report of a missing elderly male from a residence in Ninilchik. Maxwell Harper, 72, of Ninilchik, who suffers from several health issues. Harper was last seen that morning at the Ninilchik Tesoro, apparently hitchhiking toward Homer. State Troopers, Ninilchik Fire/Emergency Medical Services and community members conducted area searches for Harper in the Ninilchik, Anchor Point, and Homer areas. A Silver Alert was issued for Harper, and at about 6:00 p.m., Harper was located by the Kenai Police Department and reunited with his family.
On Mar. 5, Christina Holmquest, 40, of Soldotna, was issued a citation by Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Anchor Point Post, for making a false statement on her 2018 fishing license. Bail was set at $310 in the Homer Court.
On Mar. 5, Grant Peel, 23, of Homer, was issued a citation by Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Anchor Point Post, for making a false statement on his 2018 fishing license. Bail was set at $310 in the Homer Court.
