Alaska State Troopers Press Release of Monday, October 23, 2023
Any charges reported in these press releases are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
A Detachment
AK23111913
Location: Soldotna
Type: Home Invasion - Assault
Dispatch Text:
On October 21, 2023 at 9:26 pm, the Alaska State Troopers were notified of a home invasion and violent assault that occurred at a residence near mile 20 of the Kenai Spur Highway. A preliminary investigation revealed that an adult male and adult female were assaulted by an unknown individual inside of the victims’ home. The suspect fled before law enforcement could respond. Both victims were brought to a Kenai Peninsula area hospital with serious injuries. The Alaska Bureau of Investigation has assumed case responsibility, and their investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Alaska State Troopers in Soldotna at (907) 262-4453. If you have information but would like to remain anonymous, you can submit tips through the AKTips smartphone app or online at dps.alaska.gov/tips.
Posted on 10/23/2023 1:45:24 PM by DPS\jfreeman1
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AK23112035
Location: Nikiski
Type: Warrant Arrest/Driving with a Suspended License/Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance 5th degree/Probation Violation
Dispatch Text:
On 10/22/23 at 1400 hours, Alaska State Troopers conducted a traffic stop on a red passenger car on Opal St. in Nikiski. Investigation revealed the driver, Jeffery Neal Johansen, 47 of Nikiski, was driving without a license, had two outstanding arrest warrants (fail to appear for status hearings with original charges of Assault 3rd, Probation Violation, Driving Revoked, and Improper Use of Registration), is on Felony probation, and was in possession of a small amount of controlled substance. Johansen was arrested and remanded without bail at Wildwood pretrial on his two warrants along with new charges of Driving with a Suspended License, Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance 5th degree, and Probation Violation.
Posted on 10/23/2023 7:17:54 AM by DPS\rtennis
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AK23112067
Location: Anchor Point
Type: Assault 4th (DV)
Dispatch Text:
On 10/22/2023 at 1651 hours Alaska State Troopers in Anchor Point responded to a disturbance near Tall Tree Road in Anchor Point. Investigation determined Wyatt Fink, age 26 from Anchor Point placed a family member in fear of immediate physical injury. Fink was arrested and remanded to the Homer Jail where he was held without bail pending arraignment for one count of Assault 4th (DV).
Posted on 10/23/2023 12:30:23 AM by DPS\dwbozman
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AK23112100
Location: Nikolaevsk
Type: Robbery 2nd, Theft 2nd, & Assault 4th
Dispatch Text:
On 10/22/2023 at 2014 hours AST received multiple reports of a disturbance in Nikolaevsk. Investigation determined Anatoly Kojin, age 38 from Nikolaevsk stole a German Shepard dog from a neighbor and when the neighbor confronted him, Anatoly attempted to punch the dog owner. Anatoly was arrested for Robbery 2nd, Theft 2nd, and Assault 4th and he was remanded to Wildwood Correctional Center where he was held without bail pending arraignment.
Posted on 10/23/2023 1:39:12 AM by DPS\dwbozman
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B Detachment
AK23112122
Location: Palmer
Type: Felony DUI
Dispatch Text:
On 10/23/2023 at approximately 0023 hours, Alaska State Troopers conducted a traffic stop on a maroon 2017 Kia SUV for speeding 85 MPH in a 45 MPH construction zone near mile 38 Glenn Hwy in Palmer. Investigation revealed Casey Rinehart, age 31 of Wasilla, was driving under the influence of alcohol. Further, Rinehart had a prior Felony DUI conviction in 2018, making this arrest a felony arrest as well. Rinehart provided a sample of breath for Datamaster with a BrAC of .208. Rinehart was remanded to the custody of the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility and held without bail.
Posted on 10/23/2023 2:33:00 AM by DPS\rranderson
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AK23112119
Location: Palmer
Type: Search & Rescue
Dispatch Text:
On 10/22/2023 at approximately 2258 hours, Alaska State Troopers received a report of numerous boaters in distress in the Rabbit Slough area south of Palmer. Investigation revealed two duck hunters got stuck on the stream when their canoe hit an ice dam. They called for family to respond and assist when they got their boat stuck on a separate ice dam while responding. No local resources were available and the Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) on JBER was requested. RCC responded and successfully transported four males to a local hospital.
Posted on 10/23/2023 3:43:45 AM by DPS\rranderson
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AK23112192
Location: Palmer
Type: DV Assault 2/3/4 + VCOR
Dispatch Text:
On 10/23/2023, AST was contacted in reference to concerns that a family member was being held against their will by their boyfriend. Statements were made that the family member was a victim of a physical domestic violence situation on 10/19/2023 and she is afraid to make a report. Troopers responded to the address provided on "Our Rd" in Palmer. Daniel Dufford, age 19 of Palmer, was contacted along with the female victim. Early signs while speaking with the female indicated she did not feel free to speak. Parties were separated and probable cause was established. Daniel Dufford was arrested and remanded on charges for Assault 2, Assault 3, Assault 4, and Violating Condition of Release.
Posted on 10/23/2023 12:44:31 PM by DPS\attaylor
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C Detachment
AK23107403
Location: Koliganek
Type: SAR
Dispatch Text:
Update: After two weeks of searching the Nushagak River and surrounding area with multiple aircraft, specialized dives teams, K9 teams, and countless volunteers from the surrounding area, the Alaska State Troopers are changing search strategies today. Troopers will be switching from an active search to a reactive search, due to no probable areas left to search. If new information, evidence, or tips are made known to Troopers, search strategies may be changed at that time. Coopchiak is still considered missing, and no foul play is suspected. We greatly appreciate all the help from volunteer search teams and members of the community over the last two weeks. If you have first-hand information that has not yet been reported to law enforcement, please contact the Alaska State Troopers at (907) 842-5641.
Original: On October 7, 2023, at 12:29 pm, Alaska State Troopers received a report from the VPSO in Koliganek of a swamped boat on the Nushagak River near Lewis Point. A group of searchers responded to the area. The empty boat with no identifying registration numbers was found but no one was located in the area. On October 9, 2023, further information was received that Kelly Coopchiak, age 25 of Togiak, had likely been in the boat. An air search was conducted by an Alaska State Parks plane and a US Fish and Wildlife helicopter. Cabins in the area were also searched but Coopchiak was not located. Search efforts are continuing with Alaska State Troopers and Dillingham Search and Rescue searching the river by boat. The search and investigation are ongoing.
Posted on 10/10/2023 3:42:13 PM by DPS\tjdespain . Edited on 10/23/2023 4:29:55 PM by DPS\jfreeman1
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D Detachment
AK23112164
Location: Nenana
Type: Burglary II theft II
Dispatch Text:
On 10-22-23 at approximately 2030 hours, AmandaCoughenour, age 20 of Nenana, reported that her camper, where she resides, had been broken into. Several items were taken from the camper and her parent's camper, both located in Nenana. The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information about this crime can call the Alaska State Troopers in Fairbanks at (907) 451-5100. If you would like to remain anonymous, you can submit tips through the AKTips smartphone app or securely online at https://dps.alaska.gov/tips. You can also text the keyword AKTips to 847411 followed by your anonymous tip.
Posted on 10/23/2023 5:42:10 PM by DPS\cjnelson1
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AK23112435
Location: Fairbanks
Type: MVC-D
Dispatch Text:
On 10/23/2023 at 1808 AST responded to a 2 vehicle collision at Airport Way and University Ave in Fairbanks. No injuries were reported but both vehicles sustained substantial damage. The roadway did not see any closures. The scene was cleared in approximately 45 minutes.
Posted on 10/23/2023 10:08:12 PM by DPS\bkhaley
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AK23112451
Location: Fairbanks
Type: False Report
Dispatch Text:
On 10/23/2023 at approximately 1941 hours Brandon Wagner contacted 911 reporting a female family member was walking around a heavily populated area, was suicidal, and had a gun to her head. Multiple law enforcement officers and medical personnel from various agencies responded to the area. While responding Brandon advised the person returned home. AST contacted Brandon and the female. It was revealed that the female was not having a mental health crisis and never had a firearm. Brandon was remanded on the charge of making a false report. He was remanded to Fairbanks Correctional Center.
Posted on 10/23/2023 10:18:12 PM by DPS\bkhaley
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E Detachment ...No news reported.
Headquarters ...No news reported.
AK Wildlife Troopers ...No news reported.
AK Bureau of Investigation ...No news reported.
AK Bureau of Highway Patrol ...No news reported.
AK Bureau of Judicial Services ...No news reported.
AK Div of Fire and Life Safety ...No news reported.
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