Information for this report was taken from publicly available law enforcement records and includes arrest and citation information. Anyone listed in this report is presumed innocent.
On May 9 at 8:31 a.m., Alaska State Troopers received a REDDI (Report Every Dangerous Driver Immediately) report that a red Ford Explorer was passing unsafely and had nearly caused a head-on collision on Funny River Road. Troopers located a red Ford Explorer bearing an Alaska license plate and conducted a traffic stop. Driver James West, Jr., 50, of Soldotna, was arrested for one count of first-degree unlawful contact and a separate count of violating conditions of release and was taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility without bail.
On May 9 at 6:49 p.m., Alaska State Troopers received a report of a possible domestic violence protective order violation. After investigation revealed that Joshua McDonnell, 36, of Soldotna, had violated the protective order, he was arrested and taken to Wildwood Pretrial without bail.
On May 9 at 11:05 p.m., Soldotna police contacted Teana Lewis, 23, of Soldotna, on Shady Lane and arrested her on an outstanding warrant and for violating her court-ordered conditions of release. She was taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility without bail.
On May 8 at 3:15 p.m., Soldotna police responded to the Sportsman’s Warehouse for a male actively concealing merchandise on his person while inside the store. Investigation led to the arrest of Lonnie Kukowski, 24, of Soldotna, for two counts of third-degree theft. He was taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On May 5 at 4:45 a.m., Soldotna police responded to Carquest for an active alarm. Officers arriving on scene found that exterior windows at the business had been broken, and the building entered and ransacked. As officers were arriving on scene, a vehicle belonging to Carquest was leaving the area. An Alaska State Trooper quickly located the vehicle at the Soldotna Holiday Station store. Graydon Mendenhall, 24, of Soldotna, was inside the store, attempting to steal some items and actively assaulting the store clerk. The trooper used his taser to stop the assault and take Mendenhall into custody. Mendenhall was arrested for second-degree burglary, third-degree criminal mischief, first-degree vehicle theft, second-degree theft, driving under the influence of alcohol, fourth-degree assault, and attempted fourth-degree theft. He was taken to Wildwood Pretrial without bail. On May 6, it was discovered that on May 5, Mendenhall had used a large rock to cause more than $750 damage to a large drive-thru window at Credit Union 1, which is next door to Carquest. Mendenhall was additionally charged with a second count of third-degree criminal mischief.
On Apr. 26 at 8:38 p.m., Soldotna police responded to a disturbance at a residence near Mile 92 of the Sterling Highway. Investigation showed that David Claborn, 51, of Soldotna, while in violation of his court ordered conditions of release, assaulted a female and caused damage at the residence, then left prior of the arrival of officers. On Apr. 27 at 3:43 a.m., Soldotna police stopped a vehicle that Claborn was driving on the Sterling Highway near Birch Street. Claborn was arrested for felony driving under the influence of alcohol, felony breath test refusal, fourth-degree assault, fourth-degree criminal mischief, and violating his court-ordered conditions of release. He was taken to Wildwood Pretrial without bail.
On Apr. 26 at about 9:10 p.m., Soldotna police stopped to conduct a welfare check on a driver who appeared to be passed-out behind the wheel of a vehicle parked at Fred Meyer. Brandon Saltenberger, 19, of Soldotna, was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs and fifth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance and taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On May 9, Alaska State Troopers received a tip that Miranda Martinez, 32, of Clam Gulch, was staying at a residence in Anchor Point. Miranda had two outstanding $5,000 warrants. Troopers responded to the residence and contacted Miranda, who was arrested and taken to the Homer Jail for her outstanding warrants.
On May 11 at 12:38 a.m., Alaska State Troopers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle in the Robinson Loop Road area of Sterling. The vehicle failed to stop, and a short vehicle pursuit ensued, at the end of which the suspect vehicle crashed into a ditch, and the driver fled on foot into the woods. A short while later, troopers attempted to contact a male walking nearby, who then fled into the woods. A K9 was deployed and successfully tracked the male, identified as Lyle Webb, 42, of Sterling. Webb was found to have an outstanding $500 arrest warrant for failing to appear, and he was arrested. Investigation also determined that Webb was not the suspect driver. Webb was taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility on the outstanding warrant. The originating case is still under investigation.
On May 9 at 5:35 p.m., Soldotna Alaska State Troopers received a report of a physical disturbance that occurred at a residence near Kasilof. Investigation revealed that Kris Kammers, 37, of Soldotna recklessly caused injury to a family member and damaged property. An arrest warrant has been requested in this case for multiple counts of fourth-degree assault (domestic violence), three counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief, and three counts of fifth-degree criminal mischief.
On May 11 at 6:09 p.m., Alaska State Troopers received a report of a Jeep that was damaged on Nautical Avenue in Seward. Investigation revealed that an unknown suspect(s) entered onto the property and broke out the Jeep window, committing the crimes of first-degree criminal trespass and fifth-degree criminal mischief. Nothing was reported missing from the vehicle. Investigation is continuing. Anyone with any information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Alaska State Troopers at 907-262-4453.
On May 10 at 9:45 a.m., Alaska State Troopers received a report of an assault after-the-fact. Following investigation, James Fidler, 26, of Kasilof, was arrested for: two counts of third-degree assault (domestic violence), one count of fourth-degree assault (domestic violence), third-degree misconduct involving a weapon, removal of identification marks, violating a domestic violence protection order, and fifth-degree criminal mischief (domestic violence).
On May 9 at 4:57 p.m., Alaska State Troopers received a report of an active domestic disturbance in Nikiski. Investigation revealed that Jared Coble, 18, of Nikiski, has assaulted a family member. He was charged with fourth-degree assault (domestic violence).
On May 11 at 7:37 p.m., Alaska State Troopers responded to report of a female slumped-over in the driver’s seat of a pickup on Moose Range Drive in Sterling. Investigation revealed that Annie Rice, 36, of Soldotna, had operated a motor vehicle while impaired and that she was in possession of heroin and suboxone. Rice was arrested and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility on the charges of driving under the influence and fourth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance and was to be released on her own recognizance.
On May 11 at 8:55 p.m., Alaska State Troopers conducted a traffic stop on a black Dodge Durango near Mile 3 of the Seward Highway for a moving and equipment violation. Investigation revealed that Jacqueline Dean, 48, of Seward, was driving under the influence. Dean was arrested, taken to the Seward Jail, and released on her own recognizance.
On May 11 at about 11:20 p.m., Alaska State Troopers received and responded to a report of a disturbance at a residence in Kenai and contacted David Bartley, 29, of Kenai. Investigation revealed that Bartley had damaged less than $250 worth of property at the residence he shared with a household member. Bartley was arrested and taken to Wildwood Pretrial without bail on the charge of fifth-degree criminal mischief (domestic violence).
On May 10 at about 3:30 p.m., Alaska State Troopers stopped a Chevy Impala at Mile 87 of the Sterling Highway. Investigation revealed that Joey Fitch, 43, of Sterling, was driving without a valid license and had switched the license plates on the vehicle, due to expired registration. Fitch was issued misdemeanor citations and released.
On May 9 at about 3:10 p.m., Alaska State Troopers performed a routine traffic stop on a vehicle in Kenai for failing to signal a turn. Investigation revealed that driver John Brake, 46, of Homer, had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for violating his conditions of release. Brake was cited for driving without a valid license, no proof of insurance, and operating a vehicle with expired registration. He was arrested and taken to Wildwood Pretrial without bail.
On May 12 at 8:26 p.m., Alaska State Troopers contacted Joseph Martin Cooper, 53, of Soldotna, walking near Mile 21 of Kalifornsky Beach Road after recognizing him and knowing him to have an outstanding warrant. The warrant was for failure to appear at arraignment on original charges of criminal trespass, criminal mischief, and theft. He was arrested for the warrant and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility on $500 bail.
On May 12 at 10:48 p.m., Alaska State Troopers responded to a single-vehicle crash on Echo Lake Road. The driver fled prior to troopers’ arrival. After a search of the area, Karl Wayne Gattenby, 55, of Soldotna, was located in the woods nearby. Investigation revealed he had crashed the truck, a red 2001 Chevrolet S10 pickup, while impaired and under the influence of alcohol. He also failed to notify law enforcement of the crash, as required. He was arrested for driving under the influence and failure to give immediate notice. Gattenby received minor injuries in the crash. He later refused to provide a sample of his breath, as required. He was taken to Wildwood Pretrial on $1,000 bail for driving under the influence, refusal to submit to a chemical test, and failure to give immediate notice.
On May 12 at 12:26 p.m., Kenai police responded to a report of a male who was passed-out in front of a local store. After making contact with male, officers were advised that he was trespassed from the property. Philip J. Fabinski, 61, of Fairbanks, was charged with second-degree criminal trespass and violating conditions of release and was taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility.
On May 12 at 9:11 p.m., a Kenai police officer conducted a routine traffic stop on a vehicle near Mile 8 of the Kenai Spur Highway. After identifying the individuals and investigation of the vehicle, Jennifer L Mead, 32, of Kasilof, was issued a summons for fourth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance.
On May 11 at 12:48 a.m., Kenai police received a REDDI (Report Every Dangerous Driver Immediately) report from a driver who stated that the individuals inside the vehicle had flashed firearms at them while driving down the highway. Officers were dispatched, found the vehicle, and traffic-stopped the suspect vehicle near Mile 13 of the Kenai Spur Highway. After investigation of multiple people inside the vehicle, Leslie D. Harris II, 19, of Anchorage, was arrested for hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence. Cordarrius D. Fowler, 22, of Anchorage, was charged and arrested for hindering prosecution, tampering with evidence, and third-degree assault. Isaiah D. Finger, 20, of Anchorage, was arrested for hindering prosecution, tampering with evidence, and third-degree assault. Michael H. Raney-Jackson, 22, of Anchorage, was arrested for hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence. All charged were taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility.
On May 10 at 5:37 p.m., Kenai police received a report from a local business regarding Anthony C. Larocca, 50, of Soldotna, who was sitting outside the store after having been permanently trespassed from the property. Officers responded to the scene and were able to locate Larocca, who was arrested and charged with second-degree trespass and violating conditions of release and was taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On May 10 at 1:33 p.m., Kenai police came into contact with Rodrigo R. Ruiz, 31, of Kenai. Ruiz was taken to Wildwood Pretrial on a Soldotna Alaska State Troopers arrest warrant for two counts of third-degree assault, no bail provided before arraignment, and may not be released until court approves conditions of release.
On May 10, during a routine patrol, a Kenai police officer came into contact with Suzi S. Hutchins, 25, of Kasilof. Hutchins was taken to Wildwood Pretrial without bail on a Soldotna arrest warrant for violating conditions of release.
On May 10, at 7:17 a.m., Kenai police came into contact with Elias T. McConnell, 28, of Kenai. McConnell was taken to Wildwood Pretrial without bail on a Soldotna arrest warrant for violating conditions of release. McConnell was also charged with false information and violating conditions of release.
On May 10 at 11:53 p.m., Kenai police received a call of a possible female shoplifter walking out of the store and getting into a vehicle. Officers responded and, after investigation, Shannon D. Walker, 58, of Nikiski, was issued a summons for second-degree criminal trespass.
On May 9 at 9:30 p.m., Kenai police received a report from a local business describing a male pushing out a cart full of unpaid items and placing those items into a vehicle. An officer responded to the scene and made contact with a Mason E. Baldwin, 41, of Soldotna. After investigation, Baldwin was arrested and charged with fourth-degree theft, second-degree forgery, and violating conditions of release and was taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
