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 Sept. 4, Alaska Wildlife Troopers in Soldotna located a kill site for a sub-legal bull moose by a trail near the Escape Route Road outside of Kenai. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Soldotna Wildlife Troopers at 907-262-4573.
On Sept. 4 at 7:42 p.m., Alaska State Troopers, Bureau of Highway Patrol, responded to Mile 50.5 of the West Parks Highway in Wasilla for a motor vehicle crash with injuries involving two vehicles. This section of the West Parks Highway is within the West Parks Highway traffic safety corridor. The crash investigation determined that James Connolly, 78, of Wasilla, was operating his mid-2000’s model Lexis sport utility vehicle, traveling on South Potter Road, approaching the West Parks Highway. Frederick Chace, 47, of Sterling, was operating his mid-2010’s model GMC pickup truck, hauling a four-wheeler and three dirt bikes on a 22-foot flatbed trailer, traveling northbound on the West Parks Highway. Chace had two passengers in his vehicle. As Connolly approached the T-intersection of South Potter Road and the West Parks Highway, Connolly failed to stop for the posted stop sign. The front of Connolly’s vehicle struck the left side of Chace’s trailer. Chace’s trailer separated from his truck and went off the right side of the highway. The four-wheeler and dirt bikes came off the trailer during the collision. Chase’s truck was undamaged. Chase and his two passengers were not injured. Connolly’s vehicle sustained heavy front-end impact damage with airbag deployment and came to rest in the northbound traffic lane. Connolly was taken by ground ambulance to a local area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The crash investigation is continuing.
On Sept. 5 at about 5:00 p.m., Alaska State Troopers responded to a residence in Soldotna for follow-up and, while in the residence, contacted Brandon Logan, 26, of Soldotna, hiding in a closet. Investigation revealed that Logan had an active $25,000 arrest warrant on original charges of two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault, and third-degree and fourth-degree assault. Logan was arrested and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility.
On Sept. 5 at about 10:10 p.m., the Soldotna Alaska State Troopers K-9 Team conducted a traffic stop for a moving violation near Whistle Hill Loop and the Sterling Highway on a green 2001 Dodge Dakota and contacted the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, Ramona A. Whitlow, 29, of Sterling. Whitlow’s license was suspended from Oct. 14, 2019 through Jan. 13, 2020 for a DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) points system violation. Whitlow has failed to take the proper steps in order to get her license reinstated. A check in the APSIN (Alaska Public Safety Information Network) revealed she has over eight driving while license suspended convictions in Alaska and other states. Whitlow has a previous misdemeanor citation for driving while license suspended on Aug. 29. The vehicle was released on scene to a responsible party. Whitlow was arrested for driving while license suspended and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility, where she was released on her own recognizance.
On Sept. 4 at 2308 hours, the Soldotna AST, K-9 Team responded to Jim Street and Marilee Street for a report of a serious injury crash involving a red and black 2020 (250cc) Can-Am 4-Wheeler. Upon arrival the driver and sole occupant of the 4-Wheeler was identified as Jacob Bellinger (33) YOA of Sterling. Jacob sustained life threatening injuries as a result of the collision and had to be Life Flighted to Providence Hospital in Anchorage. Alcohol consumption is believed to be a factor in the crash.
On Sept. 3 at about 9:40 a.m., Alaska State Troopers stopped a vehicle near Mile 150 of the Sterling Highway after the driver was identified as Stacey Anderson, 44, of Anchor Point, who was known to have a revoked license. Anderson was found to be driving with a revoked license and was also on conditions of release in prior criminal cases and was given summons to appear in court and released.
On Sept. 7 at about 8:00 p.m., Alaska State Troopers arrested Stephen Vanaernam, 34, of Anchor Point, at a residence on Birch Haven in Anchor Point after it was found that he was on conditions of release, prohibiting him from being at the residence or being in contact with three people at the residence. Vanaernam was taken to the Homer Jail, pending arraignment.
On Sept. 7 at 12:14 p.m., Kenai police responded to a residence off Strawberry Road for male who was trespassing on the property. After investigation, Jared Herrmann, 24, of Kenai, was arrested for second-degree criminal trespass (domestic violence) and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility.
On Sept. 7 at 3:49 p.m., Kenai police received a REDDI (Report Every Dangerous Driver Immediately) report about a vehicle that was driving all over the highway on Bridge Access Road. Officers found and traffic-stopped the vehicle. Dreabon C. Joiner, 70, of Texas, was arrested for driving under the influence and taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On Sept. 4 at 12:46 a.m., Kenai police responded to the report of a suspect shoplifting at a local business on the Kenai Spur Highway. After investigation, Jessica R. Spurgeon, 41, of Kenai, was arrested for second-degree criminal trespass, concealing merchandise, and violating conditions of release and was taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On Sept. 9 at 12:41 a.m., the Soldotna Alaska State Troopers K-9 Team conducted a traffic stop on a white 2020 Chevrolet Silverado U-Haul truck for an equipment violation near 9583 Kenai Spur Highway. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Ely C. Holmes, 32, of Kenai. The passenger was identified as Chase W. Cable, 25, of Soldotna. An check in the Alaska Public Safety Information Networkrevealed Holmes’s operator’s license is suspended from Sept. 29 through Oct. 28, 2018 for a Department of Motor Vehicles points system violation. Holmes has failed to take the proper steps in order to get his license reinstated. Holmes is on (P.E.D.) Pretrial Enforcement Division. Part of Holmes’s conditions state he is to obey all laws. During the traffic stop, Cable placed controlled substances in his mouth and ate them. Troopers attempted to place Cable into handcuffs, and Cable attempted to escape the traffic stop in order to run. Cable kicked troopers several times during the escape attempt. Cable tried to push past Holmes and troopers during the arrest attempt. The taser was deployed, and Cable was taken into custody without further incident. The vehicle was impounded for investigative purposes. Holmes was arrested for driving while license suspended, violating conditions of release, and unlawful possession of a trailer and four-wheeler that are believed to be stolen. Cable was arrested for tampering with physical evidence, disorderly conduct, and fourth-degree assault on a police officer. Both Holmes and Cable were taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility without bail.
On Sept. 3 at 10:45 a.m., Kenai police responded to a report of a wanted individual at a local business off the Kenai Spur Highway. After further investigation Jacob A. Brown, 38, Soldotna, was arrested for an Alaska State Troopers failure to appear for arraignment $50 cash bail warrant on original charges of first-degree criminal trespass and was taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
On Sept. 10 at 12:55 a.m., Soldotna Alaska State Troopers stopped a Chevrolet truck for speeding near Mile 18.5 of the Kenai Spur Highway. After investigation, Dominic Ronellenfitch, 24, of Nikiski, was issued a criminal citation for driving while license suspended, with a future court date.
On Sept. 10 at a 3:00 a.m., after receiving numerous reports by several different REDDI (Report Every Dangerous Driver Immediately) complainants, the Soldotna Alaska State Troopers K-9 Team, responded to Mile 77 of the Sterling Highway and observed the REDDI vehicle, identified as a black 2013 Jeep, failing to maintain a proper lane of travel. The driver and sole occupant was identified as Dwight Davis, 71, of Kenai. Investigation revealed that Davis had been contacted by police twice earlier in the night because of his poor driving behavior. Investigation revealed that Davis was driving fatigued and falling asleep at the wheel. Davis was arrested for reckless driving and two counts of fifth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance,after he was found to be in possession of controlled substances. He was taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility and was released to a responsible party.
On Aug. 27 at 9:16 a.m., Alaska State Troopers responded to a report of two people trespassing at a residence on Whiskey Gulch Street in Anchor Point. Investigation showed that Cimmaron Tangman, 46, of Anchor Point, and Andrea Vanbuskirk, 37, of Anchor Point, were trespassing at the residence. Tangman and Vanbuskirk had left the residence prior to trooper arrival, but were contacted on Sept. 9, given summonses to appear for criminal trespass, and released.
