Friday, January 31, 2014

Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter:

Suspicious activity, Jan. 20 — Caller reported what he thought was an upside-down life raft on the beach near the landfill. Officers responded and found a black-and-orange tarp held in place with rocks, which had been on the beach for some time.

Public safety, Jan. 21, 1339 hours — Caller reported three people playing soccer in the roadway near one of the post offices. An officer responded and advised the three grown men that the road was a fantastic place to play if they, collectively or individually, had death wishes.

Theft, Jan. 21 — Processing plant employee reported that his iPod had been taken from amongst many other equally or more valuable items left on his bed. An investigation was initiated after the alleged victim assured the officer that the iPod could not possibly be anywhere else in the room. The iPod miraculously appeared in the bathroom a short time later.

Theft, Jan. 25, 0105 hours — Caller reported his television remote had been stolen the previous day. An officer responded to the victim’s residence and quickly located a remote in the house, but the victim advised that remote was a backup and his primary remote had clearly been stolen since he was unable to find it. Not under investigation.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Coast Guard orders fishing vessel to port

From the U.S. Coast Guard:

Jan. 24, 2014

Coast Guard terminates fishing vessel voyage near Kodiak

KODIAK — A boarding team from the Coast Guard cutter SPAR terminated the voyage of the fishing vessel Arctic Storm after discovering numerous safety violations aboard the vessel Thursday.

The crew of the SPAR escorted the Arctic Storm back to Kodiak after boarding team members discovered six safety violations, the most significant being the 2006 expiration of the vessel's life raft and hydrostatic release.

The crew of the Arctic Storm was met by personnel from the Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment in Kodiak and will be required to correct all discrepancies before setting sail again.

Press release continues here.

Note: The vessel involved in this case is not the Bering Sea factory trawler Arctic Storm. Rather, it is a much smaller vessel.

Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter:

Fire safety, Jan. 12 — Fire and harbor officers assisted in dewatering a vessel which had begun to sink at the Bobby Storrs small-boat harbor.

Harassment, Jan. 13 — A man reported that several people were outside the door and window of his room, making comments about shooting him because of a noxious odor emanating from his feet. Officers were unable to verify any element of the man's story, even after talking to alleged witnesses and reviewing video. Based on this and other information obtained from the caller, officers advised the man to speak with a mental health counselor. He agreed to do so.

Trespass, Jan. 14 — Harbor officer reported that a vehicle belonging to a man who recently had been barred from the Carl E. Moses dock was parked at the dock. The vehicle was empty and there were no footprints in the snow to indicate the man had been there recently.

Warrant arrest, Jan. 16 — Karen R. Kenyon, 49, was taken into custody on a Washington state warrant for illegal trafficking in shellfish. Kenyon additionally was charged as a fugitive from justice.

Suspicious person, Jan. 16, 1700 hours — Caller reported a man with a surfboard was heading towards a beach. Officers determined that the suspicious character was ... surfing.

Ambulance request, Jan. 18 — EMS personnel escorted a patient coming in via tug from Ulakta Head.

Public safety, Jan. 18 — A man turned in for destruction what he believed were flares of Russian origin. The officers who attempted to translate the Cyrillic writing on the objects determined they were likely parachute flares.

Animal, Jan. 18, 1906 hours — Pet owner reported having struck and killed his dog while allowing it to run alongside his vehicle.

Animal, Jan. 18, 2107 hours — Complaint by a property owner that a neighbor's little dog had run up to a window of his house and the dog's owner had done nothing to correct this appalling canine behavior.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Burglary reported at Alaska General Seafoods

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Egegik
Type: Burglary
On 1/8/14 Alaska State Troopers received a report of a burglary in the village of Egegik. Investigation revealed the Alaska General Seafoods cannery had been broken into sometime on the evening of 1/7/14. The suspect or suspects entered through a window in one of the main buildings. Once inside, two doors were damaged and an unknown amount of food was taken from a freezer. Investigation continues into the theft.

Note: Alaska General describes its Egegik facility as a "fish camp" providing housing and other services to the company's independent fishing fleet.

Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter:

Harassment, Dec. 30 — Caller reported a woman, who has assaulted him before, had threatened to shove a radio down his throat and her male companion had threatened to kill him. At least one witness corroborated this statement. Under investigation.

Assistance rendered, Jan. 1 — Officers assisted EMS personnel with a drunk who was able to respond to questions with only a two-word, one-finger answer.

Traffic crime, Jan. 3 — Caller reported a vehicle with unsecured propane tanks on the bed was crossing the South Channel Bridge. Officers contacted the driver of the suspect vehicle and advised him that several items, though not the propane tanks, were unsecured on the bed of his truck, and that the machete on the hood of his vehicle was obstructing his view of the roadway.

Trespass, Jan. 7 — Officers issued a trespass advisement to one of two fishermen who had been yelling at a bartender and calling her a variety of vulgar names. The other fisherman has yet to be located, but will as well be barred from UniSea property.

Animal, Jan. 10 — Fire and police officers responded to help a pet owner whose cat had leapt from an open window to a cliff, where it was stuck. The fire truck ladder scared the cat further up the cliff, out of sight. The pet owner was grateful for the assistance and said she would watch for her cat's return.

Monday, January 13, 2014

Seiner charged at Juneau with illegal fishing

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Juneau
Type: Commercial fish closed period
On 1/6/14 Vernon M. Crane, 39, of Fritz Creek, was cited for operating a commercial salmon seine during a closed period in District 11A north of Juneau. The case stems from a patrol on 7/11/13 in which Crane's boat, the Viking Spirit, was observed fishing over the line during the Amalga Harbor seine opener. Arraignment set for 1/29/14 in Juneau District Court.

Friday, January 10, 2014

Ketchikan processor E.C. Phillips cited

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Ketchikan
Type: Late fish tickets
On 1/9/14 Alaska Wildlife Troopers cited E.C. Phillips & Son Inc. for submitting late commercial salmon fish tickets to the Department of Fish and Game. A mandatory appearance is set for 1/30/14 in Ketchikan District Court.

Petersburg seiner nets $3,600 in penalties

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka
Type: Conviction
On 12/23/13 Kevin M. Granberg, 47, of Petersburg, pled guilty in Sitka District Court to one count of commercial salmon seining during a closed period. Granberg was fined $4,000 with $2,000 suspended, ordered to pay $1,637.50 in restitution to the state, and placed on probation for one year. A charge of filing a false fish ticket was dismissed as part of an agreement with the Sitka District Attorney's Office.

Click here for background on this case.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Mexican man arrested at Dutch Harbor

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Dutch Harbor
Type: Forgery, criminal impersonation, activities by aliens prohibited
On 1/6/14 Dutch Harbor Wildlife Troopers arrested Luis Miguel Valenzuela Montiel, 25, of Nogales, Mexico, for using false document numbers to receive an Alaska commercial fishing crewmember license. Arraignment set for 1/7/14 in Unalaska District Court.

Ketchikan troopers cite Dungeness crabber

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Bar Harbor, Ketchikan
Type: Undersized Dungeness crab
On 1/4/14 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Ketchikan Post, cited Dugan Daniels, 44, of Ketchikan, for taking and possessing undersized, commercially harvested Dungeness crab. Mandatory appearance set for 1/31/14 in Ketchikan District Court.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter:

DUI, Dec. 22 — Robert G. Chapman, 32, was arrested for driving under the Influence after a caller reported him first swerving on the roadway and then swaying as he attempted to photograph vessels in the harbor. Officers located Chapman as he fishtailed away from the harbor.

Suspicious activity, Dec. 22 — Caller reported hearing what sounded like gunshots or seal bombs. Officers responded and found several vessels, blazing with Christmas lights, motoring around the bay. The same noises were heard several more times but officers were unable to determine whether the noise came from the decorated boats and if so, what had caused it.

Animal, Dec. 23 — Caller reported an eagle sitting on a tank inside a fishmeal plant.