Public Safety Report - April 8
Published Tuesday, April 8, 2008
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Stumble It!The Public Safety Report is compiled from criminal complaints filed in state and federal courts, as well as some police blotter information, trooper dispatches, fire department reports and interviews with public safety officials. Individuals named as arrested and/or charged with crimes in this report are presumed innocent until proved guilty in a court of law.
Assault
• Forrest Bud Kanayurak, 26, of Barrow, was charged with fourth-degree assault after a woman said he grabbed her by the neck Friday at a local motel. He also allegedly pulled the phone cord out of its socket in the wall. Kanayurak was also charged with interfering with the report of a crime involving domestic violence.
• Rocky Simon Pitka, 22, of Fairbanks, was charged with two counts of assault after one woman said he shoved her into a bookcase and another told authorities that he put her in a headlock. The incident occurred early Sunday morning at a Fairbanks residence after Pitka appeared there intoxicated, according to a criminal complaint filed in court.
DUI
• Gareth C. Baker, 18, of Minto, was charged with driving under the influence after an Alaska State Trooper spotted him failing to stop at a posted sign Sunday morning on Main Street near Front Street in Minto. A preliminary breath-test found his breath-alcohol content to be 0.060. Baker failed field sobriety tests and was taken into custody. He was also charged with driving without a valid license.
• Michael Jon Berggren, 30, of Alaska, was charged with driving under the influence after troopers received a report Saturday morning that he was driving erratically on Badger Road. He was contacted at his home where he admitted to drinking the previous night, but said he was not driving when the report was made, according to a criminal complaint filed in court. A chemical test found his breath-alcohol content to be 0.175.
• Hadley Hobert Dockery, 28, of Fairbanks, was charged with driving under the influence after troopers spotted him driving on the wrong side of the Steese Expressway on Saturday. A chemical test found his breath-alcohol content to be 0.192, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 to operate a motor vehicle.
• Troy Thomas Edison, 38, of Fairbanks, was charged with driving under the influence after Fairbanks police received a report early Saturday morning of a possibly intoxicated driver in the drive-through of the McDonald’s on Airport Way. A caller stated that they saw a man vomit out of a truck and bump their vehicle leaving the restaurant before driving to a nearby motel where Edison was contacted. A chemical test found his breath-alcohol content to be 0.099.
• Jodie Marie Hoffman, 26, of Fairbanks, was charged with driving under the influence after North Pole police observed her driving without a safety belt Saturday on Airway Drive near Badger Road. A chemical test found her breath-alcohol content to be 0.123.
When contacted by police, she initially gave the name of another woman. She was also charged with making a false report and driving with a revoked license.
• Aaron Wade Needham, 19, of Fort Wainwright, was charged with driving under the influence after Fairbanks police received a report Saturday afternoon of a possibly intoxicated man and woman taking their clothes off in a vehicle parked at Regal Cinemas. Police located a vehicle matching the description at a nearby gas station and contacted Needham, who was not wearing a shirt. A chemical test found his breath-alcohol content to be 0.111.
Minor operating
Mackay Deland Barr, 20, of Fairbanks, was charged with minor operating a vehicle after consuming alcohol after a trooper noticed him weaving Feb. 24 on Chena Ridge near Yak Road. A chemical test found his breath-alcohol content to be 0.018. Barr was also charged with minor consumption.
Multiple charges
A Fairbanks man faces several charges after leading a University of Fairbanks police officer on a high-speed chase.
Bill Kraus, 50, has been charged with failure to stop at the direction of a peace officer, driving under the influence, refusal to submit to a chemical test, driving without a valid license and driving with a revoked license.
The officer attempted to pull Kraus over early Saturday morning when he spotted him going approximately 70 mph while traveling eastbound on Geist Road, where the speed limit is 40 mph.
Kraus refused to pull over as the officer pursued him, running a red light to turn northbound on University Avenue, according to a criminal complaint filed in court. He nearly lost control of his vehicle near Cameron Street, but turned east on to College Road where he accelerated to approximately 75 mph. Kraus continued to to weave in and out of his lane of travel, according to the complaint.
He eventually turned into a residential area, slowing down to 50 mph before pulling into a driveway on Caribou Way. When Kraus exited the vehicle he had bloodshot, watery eyes, slurred speech, and was “highly combative,” according to the complaint. The officer had to use a Taser to take him into custody. Kraus refused to take a chemical test.
Search and Rescue
Galena Search and Rescue transported Lyon Edwin, 34, of Koyukuk to Galena after his snowmachine broke down 15 miles north of Galena. His companion on the trip, Arthur Roberts, 23, of Koyukuk, remained with the snowmachine, according to trooper records.
Community Discussion
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I do feel much safer now that I know the identities of the people who's snowmachine broke down outside Galena. Thank god I am now also aware of the individual who remained with the machine....I wonder if he's still waiting there...
Good grief - enough already
Kid pulled over in Minto for running a stop sign. It's been a few years, but the last time I was in Minto, they didn't have enough roads to warrant a stop sign. That area must really be growing to get a stop sign AND a Trooper at the same time.
Wlly -
I think the stop sign is issued with the trooper in remote locations so the trooper doesn't get bored.
Without the inclusion of the stop sign, the trooper would have to use his imagination for reasons to pull over drivers for the 'health and welfare' DUI checks. After all, the ace in the hole 'you forgot your turn signal' wouldn't work in places such as that since there isnt anywhere to turn!
Quick question -
How come some DUIs get the catchy phrase -
'more than twice the legal limit of 0.08'
and others, which are clearly more than twice the legal limit, do not - some kind of prejudice cropping up in the Police Report or are some troopers more verbose than others?
For what it's worth, I find it helpful to see the names. I have friends in the villages, and yes, some get into trouble now and again. Fbnks and the surrounding area is small enough that I can stay on top of things, even though I live thousands of miles away. I guess for some, it's the equivalent of gossip. For me, it's a way to stay informed, so long as it's done tastefully -- which I realize isn't always the case. And yes, it's also nice to see that the problems there are still mostly not anything like the mayhem of where I live. It gives me faith in the human condition.
Hey DNM, don't change a thing with the Police Report section of the paper. Keep printing the names and the more interesting points of the police reports. They are entertaining and informative. Best of all is reading the absurd comments of folks like Akguy. That guy slays me. HA-HA!!
Maybe you could print the alleged offender's newsminer.com username, as well.
BABYLON very, very good point.
If you registered with your name, then your username WILL be in the paper should you ever have a run in with Johnny Law. Those of us who didn't use our real name won't have to worry about that!
For all you know, I'm the guy that pissed in the sugar! *LOL*
Keep up the heckling there, akguy. You're doing a good job! :)
Then keep hiding behind mama's skirt, loser faces. Just because two of you complain isn't going to change it. Give it up already.
This report is the only reason to read the weekday news. It provides entertainment with those of us with no life.
Akguy-
Just to clarify, I try put something like "twice the legal limit of 0.08" into the blotter at least once when there are DUIs to report on, just so readers are aware of what it is. As far which name it's attached to, I just try and get it as high in the report as possible.
akguy
maybe the troopers have a school where they are trained on who is considered twice the legal limit.
They are then called EXPERTS
Wow CC, "loser faces", huh? How adult of you. *LOL*
Yeah LOL 'cause it's funny. Ya'll crack me up so hard so why be so adult about it. LOL.
Why is i cant go on to fort wainwright and cruise around but week after week i see the people from fort wainwright in paper for dui. I guess it must be ok for them to come to town get all boozed up and cruise our streets.
Tony08, Feel free to cruise on post, anyone can get on.
might not want to get all boozed up tho, the MPs would have a grand time with a drunk civi.
the reason the guys from ft wainwright drive in town all boozed up is to fit in with the locals.
WtWlly- There isnt a Trooper in Minto. They are only there during the spring carnival and other big events that go on because it is supposedly a dry village. There isnt supposed to be alcohol going in or out. They only report to the village if there has been a phone call. Since it is only a few hours drive from Fairbanks, they have no problem making the trip. The last time I was there, there were several stop signs at the main intersections.
This is great I wish are local paper would have somthing like this.We were in Fairbanks last summer and loved it and hope to come back soon.So to heir what is going on makes me feel like we are still there.
CC -
I know you think our 'complaining' isn't going to change anything - I tend to disagree.
Even if the issue at hand doesn't change....if one person in Fairbanks actually is forced to THINK - for or against my sarcasm - then I am happy to have made the comment.
I think with the issue of police reports that it is wrong to publish names based solely on the fact that once you do - the court of public opinion is swayed. I have no issue with posting names or whatever else you want once people are found guilty.
I don't base my opinion on this section on its entertainment basis - only on the fact that innocent is innocent - and, in our society, you are innocent until proven guilty by a jury of your peers.
CC - havent you read all the horror stories of 'mistakes' made by troopers over the past week?
Why should fallible people be allowed to tarnish someones good name without the system first deciding their guilt.
If they can do it as public record - then I want AKGUY's REPORT in the paper daily where I can make claims that have not yet been proven about those in this city...and then they can work about clearing their name.
Again I reiterate - once guilt is determined - have an entire photo essay on the people found guilty - but until then...let it go.
Regardless of the Newsminers disclosure of names and charges, I would hope any self-thinking individual has at least enough knowledge of the justice system to know that being charged or arrested for something is not the same thing as being convicted.
I also feel the urge to weigh in on the "innocent until proven guilty" notion, which is thrown around a lot. The correct statement is PRESUMED innocent until proven guilty, meaning that one should be treated as an innocent person until convicted. Unfortunately, your not really being treated as an innocent person if your in handcuffs, so in my opinion the whole notion is flawed.
In my opinion the Newsminers report is just fine the way it is. I have been the subject of an article or two in the police report so I speak from experience.
The comment made above by News Miner Reporter, Chris Freiberg, brings out an interesting point.
How much of the 'additional info' is added by staff and not necessarily from the public record police report. What liberty are they given when composing these reports?
If you can add information you think the public 'needs' to be aware of, like how to multiply 0.08 x2 - - then can you also comment on the height and weight and hair color of the individual in question? How about your 'opinion' of their guilt or innocence....or shade your report in one way or another
Just another reason why these shouldn't be here -
Wow you guys read the blotter but not the disclaimer at the top. I know you can read and write because your part of the discussion. I like the blotter the way it is. I just wish there was a way to see the DUI datamaster videos if they were convicted. Its sad horrifying and funny all at the same time. We could call it DWI "rhymes with kiwi" TV.
akguy
Where is your "innocent until proven guilty" when you accuse NM staff of shading the reports?
Freezee -
It was a question, not an accusation - as to where one draws the line
If they can add little snippets like 0.08x2 ... then can they also add or shade the report....<--- the question....
I thought it was the public record police report - just abridged...it seems this is not the case. READ my comment - and attempt to understand my point...then it may make more sense. Please just don't ignore my comments because you think I am a jerk and disagree with you
I am personally very happy the NM does what it does - and I am glad the reporters do what they do - even if I don't agree with their content sometimes. I also thank them for commenting on our comments from their perspective. It helps to aid in my understanding of what they do.
Is a discussion of something - even if you disagree with the points of others - ever really wrong? I am very happy there are so many differing opinions in this forum. I have learned many things listening to you all (even you Freezee) - and also truly respect each of you, even if your point differes from mine.
At least you all have taken the time to comment - if more were like us in this city we would ALL make quite a difference
ak guy....dude, do you have a job? You seem to have alot of time to respond to each and every post.
Tony08..Your streets? Last time I checked, those streets are protected by those Soldier's stationed here. Let me guess, you probably never had nor wanted a chance to serve did ya?
ak_curious
Got a job where I work on a puter and on breaks I check in to see new comments. Maybe I should get a hobby though since clearly many of you are pretty close-minded.
Oh - by the way - were you offering me a job?
Also - I see nothing wrong with Tony's comment and I did serve. Served enough, in fact, to have the good fortune of being medevac'd twice...probably just clumsy I guess, huh. They are OUR streets and the military should do more to curb alcoholism, which is rampant in the ranks - as I am sure you know if you also served.
Tony08 -
One out of six DUIs is identified as a Fort Wainwright resident. That means slightly over 83% of the DUIs are from somewhere else. The last time I calculated this statistic from the Public Safety Report, the FWA percentage was higher ... so, the percentage of military drunk drivers versus non-military drunk drivers is dropping.
A full 50% of the alleged DUIs, as well as 50% of the alleged assault cases, were attributed to Fairbanks residents. Maybe Fort Wainwright is right to keep all you drunken, abusive Fairbanks folks off the post.
Seriously, the military chain of command takes a very dim view on DUIs and assault cases, be it on or off post. Once the civilian legal system is through with them, the soldiers face additional sanctions under the UCMJ. When I was in the military, I'd have preferred to get caught with my pants around my ankles than get busted for either driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI) ... and things haven't eased up since then.
I would very much prefer it if Fort Wainwright or Eielson AFB never showed up in the Public Safety Reports. Of course, I'd prefer it just as much that Fairbanks, Minto, Barrow, or Alaska didn't show up either.
Come on, akguy. I highly doubt anyone at the News-Miner is out to get everyone who has their name in the police report. What possible benefit could it have?
I, for one, like having as much information as possible. Even if I can't use it, it's nice to know. I guarantee you that if my name shows up in the police report, I'll be here commenting. And if I don't, feel free to track me down.
Can we agree that there are a lot of places around town that should have yield signs instead of stop signs?
How about Washington and Old Airport, across from the Boatel?
Dunkel and Front or whatever that road is going to the Cultural Center being built downtown?
I could go on...
Isn't this comment area to comment on a story? I don't believe the News Miner decided one day to put up a bulletin board so the readers with a jr high mentality could use it to have a pissing match with each other, give it a rest guys!
Hey at least this bulletin board serves as a way to keep everyone busy instead of getting lost on snowmachines or driving drunk, right?? What's the harm in it? I think it's an excellent idea, having discussion over articles. Sure there will be a few who spoil the experience for the rest of us [what's the purpose in blatant insults again??], but for the most part I'm enjoying it. Keep it up, vigilant commenters! :)
Marlalee-
Thanks for the observation. I will actually keep that in mind when I post or decide not to in the future. "Jr. High Mentality" rings so true--- for many, that is. Let's all raise our game, folks.
Everyone here is a little bit right. Happy now?
luckyduck -You also see the irony... or sarcasm. Good job.
i'm in a field where i have first hand knowledge of some of the stories that end up in the police report, half the facts are wrong. i think the ast speedily enter a public report and don't go back to correct it. so don't believe everything you read
hpsmiles-
Wow, if half the facts are wrong in police reports then one must conclude that most of the people were wrongly convicted, right? Hopefully you've said something to your supervisors about this.
*rolling my eyes now*
My suggestion again: I see a lawsuit in the works. Go ahead, make all the comments you like. Eventually some smartA$$, will make a comment about a crime, which result in the case being dismissed or otherwise.
BAD IDEA NM.
Get rid of comments in Public safety report.
MamaSan, everything in the police report is public record. Its info that if you wanted, you could get.
You posting on the comments under the police report is a little pot calling the kettle black.
Besides, NM, how long has the Police Report been in the paper?
with all the talk about 0.08 and "twice the legal limit" ... someone should ask why poor Mackay Deland Barr didn't get the nice wording of "one quarter the legal limit". i know he is technically "underage" (but only for drinking nothing else)... but it seems relevant.
one should also question why he wasn't also charged with being a GD lightweight? 0.018 and weaving around the road? you get 0.018 by just *looking* at a can of beer with a crossed eye... let alone drink any of it.
i bet the bigger issue was Driving While An Idiot... not the 0.018 BAC.
x23 -
I think mouthwash will give you a .018 :)
We should definitely arrest him if his breath smelled good
excellent comments!
good day all
x23,
hahahahah "charged with being a GD lightweight" Now that is hilarious! Thanks for the laugh!
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