Saturday, February 27, 2010

Ketchikan man arrested on assault charge

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Ketchikan
Type: Assault, criminal mischief
On 02-26-10, on behalf of the Alaska State Troopers, the U.S. Coast Guard Station Ketchikan conducted a welfare check on a female on board a privately owned M/V under way in the Tongass Narrows. The welfare check was conducted after AST received a report from the female of a disturbance on board the vessel. Investigation resulted in the arrest of 59-year-old Timothy A. Crawford of Ketchikan on charges of assault and criminal mischief. Crawford was transported to Ketchikan Correctional Center.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Petersburg man cited for lack of vessel license

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Kake
Type: No commercial vessel license
On 02/23/10 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Petersburg Post, issued a citation to Jay Edgley Barnett, 51, of Petersburg, in Fanshaw Bay near Kake for no commercial vessel license. An investigation by troopers revealed Barnett was transporting commercial brown king crab pots from the fishing grounds to a storage location without having his current vessel licensed with the state Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission. Bail was set at $210. An optional court appearance was set for 03/11/10 in the Kake District Court.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Some liquor, some beer, a rescue and a verdict

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Nome
Type: Importing alcohol — trial results
On 2/24/10 a Nome jury found Timothy L. Moore, 40, of Elim, guilty of felony alcohol importation. The verdict stems from an incident that occurred on 8/24/09 when Moore, Martin Saccheus and Wayne Moses conspired to purchase and import 84 bottles of alcohol and 72 cans of beer to Elim. Prior to their U. S. Coast Guard ocean rescue, Moore and Saccheus pitched the alcohol into the ocean to avoid being caught. Sentencing is scheduled for March.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

The Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter, as reported by the Unalaska Advertiser:

Liquor law violation, Feb. 16 — Officer advised a bar patron he was too intoxicated to remain on the premises. The man eventually left, but only after spending an inordinate amount of time hugging, kissing and chatting with all of his new friends.

Missing person, Feb. 16 — Mother reported she had not heard from her son since around the time he was fired from his job at a processing plant, several weeks ago. An officer learned that the man now spends a considerable amount of time at the library, and asked library staff to tell the man to call his mother.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Troopers ticket cook, skipper on Bering Leader

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Unalaska
Type: No crewmember license
On 2-18-10 Alaska Wildlife Troopers cited Edward C. Walahan Jr., 36, of Anchorage, for no crewmember license after it was discovered that Walahan, who is the cook aboard the F/V Bering Leader, failed to obtain a valid 2010 commercial fishing crewmember license. Bail was set at $260 for the Unalaska District Court.

Location: Dutch Harbor
Type: Employing unlicensed crewmember
On 2-18-10 Alaska Wildlife Troopers cited the skipper and permit holder onboard the F/V Bering Leader, Richard V. Thummel, 56, of Kodiak, for employing an unlicensed crewmember after it was discovered that the cook onboard the vessel was not in possession of a valid 2010 commercial crewmember license. Bail was set at $260 for the Unalaska District Court.

Crewman arrested at Unalaska on warrant

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Unalaska
Type: Arrest warrant
On 2-18-10 Alaska Wildlife Troopers contacted Ngoc L. Dinh, 42, of Dutch Harbor, while conducting a vessel boarding on the F/V Western Mariner at the Pacific Fuels dock in Unalaska. Investigation revealed that Dinh had an outstanding warrant for his arrest stemming from a probation violation. Dinh was arrested, transported and remanded to the Unalaska city jail on $5,000 bail.

Four fishermen fined in Unalaska court

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Unalaska
Type: Update — unlawful gear
On 2-17-10 Donald P. Aus, 58, of Unalaska, pled no contest in the Unalaska District Court to a charge of unlawful gear — biodegradable escape mechanism. Aus, who is the skipper and permit holder aboard the F/V Good Deal, was fined $300 with $150 suspended and placed on probation for one year.

Location: Unalaska
Type: Update — permit to possess fish
On 2-17-10 Elbert O. Fothergill, 40, of Vancouver, Wash., pled no contest in the Unalaska District Court to the charge of possessing commercially caught fish without a valid 2010 Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission permit card in possession. Fothergill, who is the skipper aboard the F/V Blue Gadus, was fined $3,000 with $1,500 suspended and placed on probation for one year.

Location: Unalaska
Type: Update — illegal tunnel eye opening
On 2-10-10 Zachary M. Nehus, 36, of Unalaska, pled no contest in the Unalaska District Court to the charge of illegal tunnel eye opening on a groundfish pot. Nehus, who is the skipper and permit holder aboard the F/V St. Dominick, was fined $500 with $250 suspended and placed on probation for one year.

Location: Unalaska
Type: Update — failure to register
On 2-10-10 Donald M. Sproule, 42, of Kodiak, pled guilty in the Unalaska District Court to the charge of failing to register for a groundfish fishery. Sproule, who is the skipper and permit holder aboard the F/V Advantage, was fined $1,000 with $500 suspended and placed on probation for one year.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

The Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter, as reported by the Unalaska Advertiser:

Theft, Feb. 9 — A half-dozen coils of line were stolen from the Westward Seafoods area sometime in the last month. Under investigation.

Disorderly conduct, Feb. 9 — Officers responded to the UniSea area regarding a fight between two employees. Investigation revealed that an intoxicated lout had argued with and then lunged at his roommate on several occasions. The roommate was not injured and the district attorney recommended not arresting the inebriate provided he caused no further problems. The drunken man began kicking and screaming at officers as soon as he learned he was not to be arrested. Royce Haggard, 52, of Chicago, was subsequently taken into custody for disorderly conduct.

Disorderly conduct, Feb. 9 — Two drunken bantam fishermen engaged in chest-puffing and collar-snatching threat displays inside the Cape Cheerful lounge. A wiser man took the two under his wing and escorted them from the bar before police arrived.

Alcohol, Feb. 11 — Fuel dock personnel reported an intoxicated man refused to leave the fuel dock in spite of repeated requests that he do so. Officers responded and found the man incapacitated by drink. He was subsequently taken into protective custody.

Assistance rendered, Feb. 11 — Officers addressed an issue of teen angst.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Homer fisherman charged with excessive bycatch

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Seward
Text: On 2/12/10 Dimitry V. Kuzmin, 32, of Homer, operator and permit holder on the F/V Avalanche, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Seward Post, for exceeding the maximum allowable bycatch in a directed groundfish fishery. Arraignment was set for 3/23/10 in the Seward District Court.

Troopers cite Homer crewman on license violation

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Seward
Type: False statement crewmember license
On 2/10/10 Zack W. Stewart, 32, of Homer, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Seward Post, for making a false statement on a 2009 resident commercial crew license when ineligible. Arraignment was set for 3/23/10 in the Seward District Court.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Unlawful pot storage pinches Dungeness crabber

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka
Type: Unlawful storage of crab pots
On 2/11/10 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Sitka Post, cited Jeb E. Morrow, 32, of Petersburg, for unlawful storage of commercial Dungeness crab pots. Previous investigation revealed Morrow had left pots in the waters of Hoonah Sound after the season closed for commercial Dungeness fishing on 11/30/09. Arraignment is scheduled for 3/9/10 in Sitka.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

The Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter, as reported by the Unalaska Advertiser:

Animal, Feb. 1 — A man who was trying to photograph a fox with his cell phone had one of his fingers nipped by the canid. The man described the fox to the investigating officer as being small and brown.

Animal, Feb. 2 — Caller reported wild animals running around the library parking lot. An officer responded and contacted several processors who were feeding a collection of eagles and foxes. The humans professed ignorance about the laws against and the wisdom of feeding wild animals.

Drunk disturbance, Feb. 2 — Westward security reported an intoxicated woman was "crazy," banging on phones and computers in their office and generally creating a disturbance. The investigating officer talked to the woman and learned she had slammed a phone down and begun crying after receiving news about a seriously ill family member. Additional police intervention was unnecessary.

Noise disturbance, Feb. 4 — Officer heard what sounded like yelling from a room at the Harbor View Inn. The occupant of the room explained to the officer that the noises he had heard were in fact a form of singing, not yelling. He agreed to sing in quieter fashion.

Assault, Feb. 4 — UniSea security provided security camera footage that showed a man laying in wait for another, then pouncing upon and attacking the second man. Officers contacted the persons involved and arrested Juan Molina, 29, of Washington, for assault.

Assault, Feb. 4 — Officers investigated a report of domestic violence at Westward Seafoods and determined that Raymundo H. Soriano had attacked his girlfriend several days earlier and only hours earlier had threatened her. Soriano, 47, of Anchorage, was arrested on assault charges.

Theft, Feb. 4 — Fishing vessel captain reported some controlled drugs had been stolen from his boat's medical kit sometime during the previous week. The captain had strong suspicions about one person in particular, and provided information to help substantiate his allegation. Under investigation.

Drunk disturbance, Feb. 6 — A drunk smashed a window on the ground floor of the Harbor View Inn while being escorted to his vessel by friends. Officers followed a blood trail to the drunk, who was found bloody and passed out inside his vessel. The drunk, once he was semiconscious, agreed to reimburse UniSea for the cost of replacing the window.

Ambulance request, Feb. 6 — EMS personnel provided medical care to a common drunk with a bleeding hand injury.

Roads, Feb. 6 — Multiple manhole covers began lifting themselves off their holes due to an accumulation of ice around the holes' rims. The wastewater department was notified about the errant metal discs.

Theft, Feb. 6 — Several "Emergency Exit" signs were stolen from a building at UniSea. Security cameras captured images of those involved, one of whom was recognized by police. Under investigation.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Sablefish on board leave Petersburg man on hook

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Petersburg
Type: Illegal groundfish possession
On 02/01/10 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Petersburg Post, issued a summons to Charles Leroy Christensen, 53, of Petersburg, for unlawful possession of sablefish. An investigation by troopers revealed that on 11/11/09 Christensen, a CFEC permit holder, had legally caught commercial sablefish on board his vessel, and he operated commercial halibut gear in Frederick Sound, an area in which the taking of sablefish was prohibited, without first offloading the legally caught sablefish. Arraignment is scheduled on 02/25/10 in the Petersburg District Court.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Cod fisherman ticketed at Dutch Harbor

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Dutch Harbor
Type: Failure to register
On 1/25/10 Alaska State Troopers in Dutch Harbor issued a summons to Donald Mason Sproule, 43, of Kodiak, for commercial fishing Pacific cod without having his vessel registered with the Department of Fish and Game for the groundfish fishery. Arraignment is scheduled for 1310 hours Feb. 10 in the Unalaska District Court.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

The Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter, as reported by the Unalaska Advertiser:

Trespass, Jan. 24 — UniSea security asked officers to issue a trespass advisement to a man who had just punched a woman in the face outside the Harbor View bar.

Burglary, Jan. 26 — Alyeska Seafoods reported one of their buildings had been burglarized and entered repeatedly. Under investigation.

Trespass, Jan. 27 — Two juveniles were found inside an abandoned building owned by Alyeska Seafoods, after an eagle-eyed grocery store employee noticed the juveniles lurking about in the area. Both juveniles were taken into custody and later released to their parents.

Domestic disturbance, Jan. 27 — Officers contacted a couple after the husband phoned police and reported that the two were arguing. Officers found the couple in disagreement over whether to adopt a kitten or an adult cat, and what sex and color the prospective family member should be. The couple was encouraged to visit the cats currently being held for adoption at the Unalaska Department of Public Safety.

Ambulance request, Jan. 28, 0114 hours — EMS personnel responded to Westward Seafoods for a patient experiencing difficulty breathing.

Liquor law violation, Jan. 28, 0122 hours — Officers assisting EMS personnel found an underage man was experiencing some abdominal distress after consuming a 40-ounce beer bought for him by an older friend. John Vini, 19, was cited for minor consuming. Wendy L. Leatua, 24, was cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor.

Disorderly conduct, Jan. 28 — Caller reported a hitchhiker whose requests for a ride were not granted had taken to making lewd gestures at those who left him on the side of the road.

Disorderly conduct, Jan. 28 — Felix M. Mendoza, 47, of California, was arrested on two counts of disorderly conduct after he attempted to brawl with UniSea security personnel. Mendoza, who was extremely intoxicated, was being escorted to his room when he began punching at the security officers.

Harassment, Jan. 30 — A rather intoxicated man reported that an unidentified person known only as Godzilla had claimed to be a member of Al Qaeda and had expressed dislike for the man. The man was unable to provide any additional information.

Theft, Jan. 30 — An irate caller reported a toy machine at Safeway had stolen one dollar from him, and that Safeway personnel had laughed at him when he demanded a refund. An officer explained to the man that he needed to contact the number listed on the toy machine regarding the loss. The caller was dissatisfied with this response and demanded the opportunity to pursue theft charges against the Safeway employee, and further stated his intention to build a machine that would eat everyone else's money so that he could keep it all for himself. The officer advised against this course of action.

Trawler trouble

A 10-man team from the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Acushnet boarded the trawler Alaska Victory yesterday just south of Amchitka Island and found the crew was "overreporting fish production weights." The 226-foot factory trawler, part of the Fishing Company of Alaska fleet, was fishing for Atka mackerel. The boarding team sent a field report to the National Marine Fisheries Service, which regulates the catch, "so the vessel can be inspected pierside to verify they are following federal reporting procedures," says a Coast Guard press release issued today. USCG photo

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Petersburg crabber accused of illegal pot storage

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Petersburg
Type: Illegal storage of crab pots
On 01/31/10 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Petersburg Post, issued a summons to Ralph Allen Strickland, 42, of Petersburg, for illegally storing commercial Dungeness crab pots. An investigation by troopers revealed Strickland stored five pots in the waters of Duncan Canal while the commercial Dungeness crab season was closed. Arraignment is scheduled in the Petersburg District Court for 1000 hours Feb. 25.