The Alaska State Troopers reported the following incidents. Any charges reported are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Reckless Endangerment, Obstruction of Highway, Disorderly Conduct
COOPER LANDING—July 7 at around 4 p.m., a Trooper arrested 42-year-old Warren Eide of Soldotna, after Troopers observed Eide standing in the middle of the Sterling Highway obstructing traffic flow, and causing motorist to take evasive action and swerve into the opposite lane of travel to avoid hitting him. Troopers also discovered Eide to be intoxicated, and in violation of conditions placed on him from a previous case. Eide was transported to and remanded at the Seward Jail on the above charges.
Warrant Arrest
GIRDWOOD—July 9 at approximately 3:30 p.m., a Trooper from Girdwood stopped a Pontiac sedan near mile 101 of the Seward Highway for failure to illuminate headlights as required. An investigation revealed the passenger in the vehicle, 20- year-old Homer resident Richard Zielinski, had a warrant out for his arrest. Zielinski was arrested and transported to the Anchorage Jail where he was held on a bail of $1,000.
DUI, Breath Test Refusal
MILE 54 SEWARD HIGHWAY--July 9 at approximately 7:41 p.m., Troopers conducted a traffic stop on a red and gray 1991 Dodge Dakota at Mile 54 of the Seward Highway for an equipment violation. An ensuing investigation found that the driver of the vehicle, Isaac Hensley, age 32 of Anchorage, was impaired by alcohol and was subsequently arrested for Driving Under the Influence. Hensley was additionally charged with Breath Test Refusal and transported to Wildwood Pretrial Facility where his bail was set at $1,000. Hensley’s vehicle was impounded from the scene.
DUI, Misconduct Involving Weapons
GIRDWOOD—July 15, at around 7 p.m., a Trooper stopped a maroon minivan near mile 82 of the Seward Highway in connection with a REDDI report. An investigation revealed the driver of the van, 57-year-old Wasilla resident Kenneth Langlois, was found to be driving under the influence of alcohol. During the investigation it was also revealed that Langlois was in possession of a loaded handgun in the interior of his vehicle at the time. Langlois was arrested and transported to the Anchorage Jail where he was remanded on the charges of DUI and Misconduct Involving Weapons 4th Degree. His bail was set at $ 2,000.
Reckless Driving, Misconduct Involving Weapons
COOPER LANDING—July 15 at 11:46 a.m., a Trooper was flagged down and advised of a vehicle that nearly collided with two vehicles. AST located the vehicle and contacted the driver 33 year old Joshua Welsh of Anchorage. Welsh was subsequently arrested for Reckless Driving after investigation revealed he was traveling at a high rate of speed, and caused other motorist to take evasive action to avoid a collision. During the initial contact Welsh, he failed to inform the Trooper he had a weapon located next to him. Welsh was transported to and remanded at the Seward Jail without incident. The vehicle was towed from the scene.
Driving While License Cancelled
GIRDWOOD—July 16 at around 11 p.m., a Trooper initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding 84 mph in a posted 65mph zone near mile 72 of the Seward Highway. Investigation revealed the driver of the vehicle, John H. Ryan, age 56 of Seward, was driving with a cancelled license. Ryan was issued a misdemeanor citation for DWLC and released from the scene. Ryan was also issued a citation for speeding. The vehicle was towed from the scene.
DUI, Misconduct Involving Weapons
GIRDWOOD—July 17 at about 3:44 a.m., a Trooper stopped a red GMC pickup near mile 100 of the Seward Highway after it was determined the driver was asleep behind the wheel while parked in the southbound lane. An investigation revealed that Nicholas Lime, age 25 of Anchorage, was operating the pickup while under the influence of alcohol. It was also determined that Lime had been in the possession of two firearms in the interior of the pickup when he was DUI. Lime was arrested on the charged of DUI and Misconduct Involving Weapons 4th Degree. Lime was eventually released on his own recognizance.
DUI, DWLR, Operating a Motor Vehicle without Insurance
COOPER LANDING—July 20 at 9:50 p.m., a Trooper stopped a vehicle at mile 47 of the Sterling Highway for speeding. The driver, 22-year-old Kyle Lackey of Seward, was subsequently arrested for DUI, DWLR and Operating a Motor Vehicle without Insurance. The vehicle was released to the passenger who was waiting for family to pick her and the vehicle up. At 11:30 p.m., Troopers located the vehicle parked at a different location and found the passenger Sandra Hansen of Seward, walking away from the vehicle. An investigation revealed Hansen moved the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Hansen was subsequently arrested for DUI. Both were transported to the Seward Jail and remanded without incident.
Assault II, Attempted Sexual Assault, Kidnapping
GIRDWOOD—July 20 a 21-year-old female reported that an unknown male at a pullout somewhere between Girdwood and Anchorage attacked her. The call was reported to Troopers by third party at approximately 5:50 p.m. The victim said the male was driving a silver/blue early 90s/late 80s boxy 4x4 type vehicle possibly an older Jeep Cherokee. The white male suspect is in his late 20s or early 30s, is around 6 feet tall with light brown hair, muscular build and was wearing gray T-shirt and jeans. The suspect should have a left eye wound after the victim stuck her thumb in his eye during the struggle. The male suspect had attempted to force the female into his vehicle using a knife. The female fought off the attack and drove away from the scene towards Anchorage. She was treated at an Anchorage medical facility for non-life threatening knife wounds and was released. The investigation continues. Anyone with information is asked to contact Girdwood Post at 783-0972 or Anchorage Crimestoppers at 561-STOP.
Drive in Violation of Instructional Permit, Failure to Insure Vehicle, Minor in Possession of Alcohol, Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance 6th Degree, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor
GIRDWOOD—July 23 at approximately 5:25 p.m., a Trooper stopped a Buick Sedan near mile 92 of the Seward Hwy, which is within the Seward Highway Traffic Safety Corridor, for speeding 86 mph in the 65 mph zone. An investigation revealed the 17-year-old minor was driving his vehicle in violation of his Instructional Permit and had failed to insure his vehicle. A passenger in the vehicle, 19-year-old Anchorage resident Jhonathan Liebsack, was found to be in possession of a small amount of marijuana, a case of beer, as well as a partially consumed 40. oz beer within the minor’s vehicle. The minor was cited for speeding and summonsed to appear in court for the instructional permit violation and failure to insure his vehicle. Liebsack was summonsed to appear in court for MICS 6th Degree, Minor in Possession of Alcohol, and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.
Assault 2nd, Assault 4th
MOOSE PASS—July 23 at around 7:46 p.m., Trooper Dispatch in Soldotna received a report of an assault on Post Office Road in Moose Pass. A Crown Point based Trooper responded and an investigation revealed that Tasha Jennings,33, of Montana used a rock to assault a man and physically assaulted another man. Jennings was arrested for Assault 2nd degree and Assault 4th degree and remanded to Seward Jail.
Eluding
GIRDWOOOD—July 24 at approximately 8 p.m., a Trooper attempted to stop a 1990 Mercury Station wagon on the Alyeska Hwy in Girdwood. The vehicle fled down Ruane Road and the occupants ran from the scene. The driver, Ky A. Hackerpage, age 23 of California, was later apprehended nearby and was issued a summons for Eluding second degree and citations for plates properly attached and displayed, No Proof of Insurance, and Expired Registration.
Search and Rescue
SIX MILE CREEK—Aug. 1 at 3:44 p.m., a Trooper contacted a rafting party of nine people near mile 58 Seward Highway, Six Mile Creek, as they appeared to be ill-prepared for the class IV whitewater they were about to experience in the canyon. The private party decided to continue their trip down river where they immediately rammed the rock wall deflating half their raft. The raft entered the canyon where the Trooper had staged with Chugach Outdoor Center (COC), and witnessed the raft flip upside down, ejecting their occupants. The subjects were wearing poor quality life preservers, with t-shirts and shorts. No helmets or dry suits were utilized. Chugach Outdoor Center, who happened to be operating in the area with clients, brought two subjects to shore minutes later then raced down stream in their rafts attempting to rescue the other subjects. A span of 1.5 miles of river was needed for the entire rescue and in the end everyone was recovered. Helo 3 was initially dispatched but later called off after everyone was located. The raft contained a 12 and 13-year-old boy, five men, and two women. One of the women, 19-year-old Louisiana resident Kayla Broughton, was flown via LifeMed to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage for a head injury. The other subjects received minor injuries but denied medical treatment.
Marijuana Growing Operation
MOOSE PASS—Aug. 1 at 1:40 p.m., Soldotna Dispatch received a 911 call of a marijuana growing operation at a residence near mile 36 of the Seward Highway. An investigation showed that Nicholas Gelinas, 31, of Moose Pass, and Sioux Blackledge, 29, of Moose Pass, had a commercial marijuana growing operation in their rented residence and out building. Troopers from Crown Point Post, AWT, and ABADE responded and located 100 marijuana plants, 172 unrooted starter plants, 5.08 pounds of processed marijuana packaged for sale, digital scales, and three weapons. Gelinas and Blackledge were arrested and remanded into the Seward Jail without incident. Both were charged with four counts of MICS 4th and one count of MIW 2nd.
