Monday, August 27, 2012

Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter:

Assistance rendered, Aug. 19 — Man reported an intoxicated, screaming and emotionally distraught woman had a breakdown at the Grand Aleutian hotel. Officers contacted an inebriated couple who had left the bar a few hours earlier and learned their rendezvous had quickly ended when the woman appeared to suffer a nervous breakdown shortly after they initiated consensual fondling. No harm was done to either party. Officers helped the woman to her own lodging for the night.

Suspicious activity, Aug. 19 — Homeowner reported her clothesline and doghouse had been spoliated in the night by an unidentified scoundrel. The responding officer found this was indeed the case. No suspects were identified.

Animal, Aug. 19 — Second-party caller reported two hunters near Cold Bay had found a seriously injured bear cub, and wanted permission to kill the cub. An officer contacted Alaska Wildlife Troopers, who advised the civilians not to kill the cub and to let Izembek National Wildlife Refuge personnel address the issue if need be.

Theft, Aug. 20 — Intoxicated caller reported some of his alcohol, among other things, may have been stolen by his good dipsomaniac friend. He asked that officers contact him in the morning about this scandalous situation.

Disorderly conduct, Aug. 21 — An intoxicated employee broke "everything in sight" with a fire extinguisher after he was asked to leave because of his drunken condition. The inebriate fled the area before officers arrived.

Suspicious activity, Aug. 22 — Mounds of excrement, origin unknown, have been found for the past several days at a construction staging site. Construction workers opine, based on the egesta's general condition, that it is freshly deposited each day.

Theft, Aug. 22 — Officers investigated allegations of product theft by processing plant employees. There was insufficient evidence to pursue charges against any plant employees.

Assault, Aug. 24 — Manolito I. Reyes, 55, of Unalaska, was arrested for assault after his roommate told police Reyes had threatened to cut his tongue out and had then chased him while wielding a crowbar. Surveillance video confirmed the gist of the victim's story.

Environmental, Aug. 24 — Caller reported boaters harassing whales in Unalaska Bay. Information passed on to National Marine Fisheries Service.

Theft, Aug. 24 — A man who left his iPad in a garbage sack in a processing facility reported it had been stolen sometime while he was away from the plant, fishing. No suspects were identified.

Trespass, Aug. 25 — Officer issued a trespass advisement, per UniSea security, to a man who had been found sleeping in one of their vans.

Animal, Aug. 25 — Mother reported that two young girls had her family's dog and refused to give it back. Officers investigating the dog-napping complaint found that the family dog had been voluntarily given away at least a week earlier, and advised both parties that custody of the pooch was a matter best suited for civil court.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Troopers seek information on big oyster heist

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Naukati
Type: Criminal trespass, theft
On 8/18/12 Alaska State Troopers in Klawock received a report of trespass and theft at the Naukati community oyster farm. The complainant reported that at some point between 8/13/12 and 8/17/12, an unknown individual had stolen a bin of oysters from the farm. The bin was reported to contain 30,000 to 40,000 oyster spat, and was valued at $1,100 to $1,500. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Alaska State Troopers, Klawock Post, at 1-800-754-2918.

Wanted man arrested aboard boat at Craig

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Craig
Type: Warrant arrest
On 8/24/12 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Klawock Post, contacted Carl Liberty Jr., 22, onboard the F/V Ida Marie at the Craig harbor. Liberty had a felony $5,000 outstanding warrant from Sitka. He was arrested, transported and remanded to the Craig jail.

Sitka troller cited over undersized king salmon

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka
Type: Undersized king salmon
On 8/24/12 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Sitka Post, issued a summons to Jeremy Serka, 35, of Sitka, for possessing undersized king salmon as the permit holder onboard the power troller F/V New Sunrise. Arraignment is set in Sitka District Court.

Troopers seize Dungeness gear near Petersburg

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Petersburg, Duncan Canal
Type: Dungeness violations
On 8/23/12 Alaska Wildlife Troopers onboard the P/V Enforcer inspected commercial Dungeness crab gear inside of Duncan Canal after the area closed to Dungeness fishing at 1159 hours on 8/15/12. As a result, AWT seized gear either stored illegally or illegally fishing during a closed season. Investigations continue.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Juneau fisherman nets $1,000 fine after guilty plea

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Juneau
Type: Arraignment — commercial fish closed period
On 8/22/12 Ryan K. Green, 30, of Juneau, pled guilty to one count of operating a commercial gillnet in the closed area of Port Snettisham. Green was fined $2,000 with $1,000 suspended, placed on probation for one year and ordered to forfeit the value of the illegally taken fish.

Monday, August 20, 2012

Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter:

Suspicious activity, Aug. 12 — A young man who attempted to use a fake ID to purchase beer fled from the area before police arrived. The legitimate owner of the ID is employed on a fishing vessel whose captain refused to provide any information about the ID owner's whereabouts.

Theft, Aug. 13 — Taxi driver reported a man who habitually fails to pay his fare had once again absconded without paying. Officers found the man sleeping in another man's house, and walked with him through the neighborhood until he was able to beg enough money from friends to pay the taxi driver.

Welfare check, Aug. 14 — Officers responded to the airport regarding an intoxicated man who had apparently crawled from the terminal to the waterfront, after which he had not been seen again. Officers located the inebriate, who had simply been looking at the pretty beach, and ensured he had transportation back to his hotel.

Drunk disturbance, Aug. 16, 0043 hours — Officers responded to the Grand Aleutian hotel regarding some sort of commotion involving a man and a woman in the women’s bathroom. Officers found an intoxicated woman who claimed the two had engaged in consensual carnal relations and an intoxicated man who denied any sexual activity at all with the woman. Officers issued trespass advisements, per hotel staff, to the couple.

Trespass, Aug. 16, 0140 hours — Two inebriates who had been issued trespass advisements returned to the hotel and groveled for access to rooms for the night.

Assistance rendered, Aug. 16 — Officers refereed a dispute between two groups of men who had engaged in a pushing match on a dock.

Ambulance request, Aug. 16 — EMS personnel transported the body of a man who had died while being medevaced to Unalaska from a vessel at sea.

Assault, Aug. 16 — Officers arbitrated a drunken dispute between coworkers on a vessel, and told one man to go to his room.

Welfare check, Aug. 18 — Caller reported two inebriates, one barefoot, walking along the roadway. Officers contacted a reeking, disheveled and barefoot man who said he lost his shoes after partying all night at the bar. The officer provided transport for the drunk to his vessel.

Ambulance request, Aug. 18 — EMS personnel provided care and transport for a man who had amputated his thumb.

Petersburg man fined $1,500, forfeits catch value

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Juneau
Type: Update — commercial fishing closed waters
On 8/14/12 Joel Randrup, 46, of Petersburg, pled guilty in Juneau District Court to one count of operating a commercial gillnet in the closed waters of Limestone Inlet within District 11B. He was fined $3,000 with $1,500 suspended and ordered to forfeit the value of the illegally taken fish. Randrup also was placed on probation for one year.

Troopers ticket another Cook Inlet drifter

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Soldotna
Type: Commercial fish closed period
On 8/20/12 the Alaska Wildlife Troopers in Soldotna charged John D. McCombs, 61, of Ninilchik, with commercial fishing with a drift gillnet in closed waters in the Upper Cook Inlet. He was issued a summons to appear on 9/9/12 in Kenai District Court.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Cook Inlet driftnetter charged with illegal fishing

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Soldotna
Type: Commercial fish closed period
On 8/18/12 the Alaska Wildlife Troopers in Soldotna charged Sandra J. Traxinger, 65, of Nikiski, with commercial fishing with a drift gillnet in closed waters in the Upper Cook Inlet during the July 12 opener. She was given a summons to appear on 10/5/12 in Kenai District Court.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Homer fisherman charged with dumping rockfish

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Seward
Type: Groundfish violation
On 8/11/12 at 1500 hours, Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Seward Post, cited Ilia Nikolai Kuzmin, 36, of Homer, on the F/V Currency. An investigation revealed Kuzmin discarded/wasted/dumped 365 pounds of commercially caught shortraker rockfish over the side of his vessel into Resurrection Bay near Seward on 8/11/12. Arraignment set for 9/4/12 in Seward District Court.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter:

Lost property, Aug. 5 — A green card, perhaps on or near a boat in the Bobby Storrs harbor.

Welfare check, Aug. 6 — Woman reported that while out for a walk in a local park, her dog had sniffed at an unmoving body that was covered with "garbage." An officer contacted a now upright and urinating man who had bedded down in the park on cardboard and plastic bags because his assigned bunkroom was too noisy. He was advised that park rules do not allow for camping.

Troopers ticket Cook Inlet driftnetter

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Cook Inlet
Type: Commercial fish closed waters
On 8/09/12 David Martishev, 18, of Homer, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Soldotna Post, for commercial drift gillnet fishing in closed waters after he was observed fishing in the channel of the Kustatan River. Arraignment set for 9/14/12 in Kenai District Court.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Five Haines gillnetters fined, forfeit catch value

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Juneau
Type: Sentencing — commercial fish closed period
On 8/9/12 the following commercial fishermen entered pleas of no contest in Juneau District Court to charges of commercial fishing "over the line." All of the charges stemmed from violations in District 15C north of Juneau during the July 8-11 fishing period. During the three days of fishing, a total of 175 commercial gillnetters caught a reported 340,000 chum salmon valued at over $2.3 million.

• Thomas Williams, 60, of Haines, was fined $2,000 with $1,000 suspended and ordered to forfeit the value of the fish taking during the illegal set. He was given one year of probation.

• Woody Pahl, 23, of Haines, was fined a total of $4,000 on two charges with $2,000 suspended. He was ordered to forfeit the value of the fish taken during the two illegal sets, and was given a year of probation.

• Brian O'Riley, 64, of Haines, was fined $3,000 with $1,500 suspended and ordered to forfeit 80 percent of the value of the fish taken during the illegal set. He was given a year of probation.

• Gerald Albecker, 58, of Haines, was fined $2,000 with $1,000 suspended and ordered to forfeit the value of the fish taken during the illegal set. He was given a year of probation.

• Martin L. Smith, 42, of Haines, was fined $3,000 with $1,000 suspended and ordered to forfeit $2,100 worth of illegally taken fish. In addition, Smith had $2,500 in previously suspended fines added to his probation period of two years.

Three additional cases are still pending from this fishery.

Southeast crabber draws 215-day jail sentence

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Juneau
Type: Sentencing — crab violations, contempt of court
On 8/2/12 James Royal Seymour, 36, of Southeast Alaska, was sentenced in Juneau District Court on a total of eight separate cases involving crimes committed between 2007 and 2011. Included in the crimes were multiple commercial crab violations in Hoonah, Petersburg and Juneau. As a result of failing to appear for multiple court hearings, Seymour also was charged with contempt of court, failure to appear and violating conditions of release. Seymour also had several petitions to revoke his probation filed. In all, Seymour was sentenced to serve 215 days in jail. Seymour has been held at the Ketchikan Correctional Center since May 10, after he was arrested on several outstanding warrants. At that time, Seymour was observed by an off-duty wildlife trooper at the swimming pool and later arrested by Ketchikan city police officers. Seymour commercially fished from the F/V Loyal Lady.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter:

Suspicious activity, July 29 — Officer obtained information about another possibly illegal gambling ring. Under investigation.

Environmental, July 31 — Report of a propane-like smell around a processing plant. No leaks were noted by plant personnel.

Harassment, July 31 — Woman reported having been harassed by a ship's officer. The matter was resolved a few days later when the crewman was fired for his behavior.

Suspicious activity, Aug. 3 — Police and harbor officers investigated a report of vandalism on the historic USS Northwestern. Investigation indicated the vandals had targeted a nearby barge by spray-painting graffiti on the side.

Trespass, Aug. 3 — Vessel captain reported a recently fired employee had returned to the vessel without permission, and asked that an officer advise the man he was not welcome onboard the boat.

Theft, Aug. 3 — Officer investigating illegal gambling learned that several cases of crab may have been stolen by an as-yet unidentified person. Under investigation.

Assist other agency, Aug. 4 — A round-the-world sailor reported that his outboard motor had been stolen in Akutan. Information passed on to the Alaska State Troopers.

Suspicious activity, Aug. 4 — Resident reported a neighbor's fish waste was attracting a large number of eagles to the neighborhood. An officer contacted the suspects and advised them to secure their fish carcasses in such a way that they did not attract eagles or other varmints.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Troopers say Sitka halibut longliner lacked permit

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka
Type: Permit violation
On 8/5/12 Cody Loomis, 32, of Sitka, was issued a summons to appear in Sitka District Court for failing to have a Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission permit while commercial longlining. An investigation by the Sitka Wildlife Troopers showed that on 5/17/12, Loomis, captain of the F/V Dorothy Ann, attempted to land a catch of halibut without a CFEC permit.

Six Cook Inlet gillnetters accused of illegal fishing

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Soldotna
Type: Commercial fish closed period
On 7/27/12 the Alaska Wildlife Troopers in Soldotna cited Joseph A. Malatesta, 46, of Soldotna. Malatesta was charged with commercial fishing with a drift gillnet in closed waters in Upper Cook Inlet. He was issued a summons to appear on 8/10/12 in Kenai District Court.

Location: Soldotna
Type: Commercial fish closed period
On 7/27/12 the Alaska Wildlife Troopers in Soldotna cited Gavin Keohane, 31, of Kenai. Keohane was charged with commercial fishing with a drift gillnet in closed waters in Upper Cook Inlet. He was issued a summons to appear on 9/21/12 in Kenai District Court.

Location: Soldotna
Type: Commercial fish closed period
On 7/27/12 the Alaska Wildlife Troopers in Soldotna cited Rodney J. Buckmeier, 48, of Anchorage. Buckmeier was charged with commercial fishing with a drift gillnet in closed waters in Upper Cook Inlet. He was issued a summons to appear on 8/7/12 in Kenai District Court.

Location: Soldotna
Type: Commercial fish closed period
On 7/27/12 the Alaska Wildlife Troopers in Soldotna cited Wesley J. Humbyrd, 68, of Homer. Humbyrd was charged with commercial fishing with a drift gillnet in closed waters in Upper Cook Inlet. He was issued a summons to appear on 8/17/12 in Kenai District Court.

Location: Soldotna
Type: Commercial fish closed period
On 7/29/12 Alaska Wildlife Troopers issued a summons to Cole G. Sprinkle, 22, of Wasilla, for fishing a commercial drift gillnet in closed waters on 7/17/12. Arraignment will be in Kenai District Court.

Location: Soldotna
Type: Commercial fish closed period
On 7/29/12 the Alaska Wildlife Troopers in Soldotna cited Peter E. Deluca, 54, of Lowell, Mass. Deluca was charged with commercial fishing with a drift gillnet in closed waters in Upper Cook Inlet. He was issued a summons to appear on 9/7/12 in Kenai District Court.

Location: Soldotna
Type: Commercial fish closed period
On 7/29/12 Alaska Wildlife Troopers issued a summons to Fredrick E. Holmberg, 66, of Anchorage, for fishing a commercial drift gillnet in closed waters. Arraignment will be in Kenai District Court.