Full Notification

PRESS RELEASE FOR THE WEEK OF
August 15th – 21st, 2016

Any charges reported in this press release are merely accusations
And the Defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.


8/15

Possible Drunk Driver: While on routine patrol, an officer conducted a traffic stop for suspicion of drunk driving. Driver admitted to consuming alcohol but passed their Field Sobriety Tests and was under the legal limit on the Portable Breath Test.

Traffic Hazard: Caller reported that concrete had been spilled on the roadway on Airport Road. The contractor for the project was contacted to clean up the spill.

Abandoned Vehicle: Caller reported that a vehicle seemed to have been abandoned on their property. The owner of the vehicle was contacted and they were instructed to contact the property owner.

Disorderly Conduct: Caller reported an individual was in the road waving knives at vehicles. Officers contacted the individual and confiscated the knives for safe keeping. The individual was instructed to retrieve the knives once sober.

Littering: Caller reported that someone dumped fish out by the Goldfields. The CSO retrieved about 5 bags of fish and took them to the baler.

Parking Problems: Complainant reported that an RV was blocking traffic. A violation sticker was put on the vehicle.

Camping Prohibited: CSO attempted to make contact with a vehicle camping in a no camping area. He was unable to locate the occupants.

Serve Time: Corina Finnesand, DOB 2/23/1982, of Copper Center checked in to the Valdez Jail to serve 10 days. Original charge: DUI



Bear Incident: A large black bear with some onlookers was near the 3 mile area of the Richardson Hwy. The bear eventually moved on.

Criminal Mischief: A local business reported damage to a window. It had appeared that someone tried to gain entry.

Fireworks: Complainant reported fireworks on Homestead Road. Officers were unable to locate anyone setting off fireworks.

8/16

Serve Time: Brian Cox, DOB 6/9/1970, of Valdez checked in to the Valdez Jail to serve 10 days. Original charge: DUI

Traffic Complaint: Caller reported a motorcycle headed outbound had passed two vehicles on the right side of the highway. Officers were unable to locate the motorcycle.

MVA-Damage: A motor vehicle accident with damage to both vehicles occurred at an intersection.

Possible Drunk Driver: Caller reported than an individual may be driving intoxicated; swerving, overcorrecting and driving erratically. Officers were unable to locate the vehicle.

Barking Dog: Caller reported a dog had been barking for 2.5 hours. The ACO responded to the area, the dog was no longer outside barking.

Theft from Vehicle: Complainant reported a camera had been stolen from his vehicle sometime over the last week.

Fish & Game: Complainant reported that two individuals were spearing salmon just past the Container Terminal. Responding officer was unable to locate anyone in the area.

Bear Incident: A small black bear with a small crowd was on Dayville Road. The bear moved on and the crowd dispersed.

Possible Drunk Driver: Complainant reported a vehicle almost ran them off the road. The vehicle was in the wrong lane with no lights on. Officers located the vehicle at a residence but couldn’t get anyone to come to the door.

Disturbance – Noise: Caller reported loud music coming from their neighbor’s residence. Officers responded and couldn’t hear any noise coming from the residence.

8/17

ATV: Complainant reported a 4 wheeler appeared to be hidden at the end of a street near some trees, unsure if it was stolen. The 4 wheeler was gone upon officer arrival.

Animal at Large: Complainant reported two dogs were running at large on Glacier Haul Road. The ACO was unable to locate any dogs.

Theft of Property: Complainant reported their wallet had been stolen and the debit card had been used at multiple locations. This case is under investigation.

ATV: Caller reported a 4 wheeler driving on the highway without any headlights. Driver was contacted and informed of the rules for driving ATV’s near the highway.

Welfare Check: Caller requested officers perform a welfare check on his wife. He was worried about her mental state. Officers contacted the individual who appeared to be okay.

Fireworks: Caller reported hearing a possible gunshot on Homestead Road. An officer contacted a group at a bonfire and spoke to them about the firework laws.

8/18

Found Property: A saw was found in the road near Atigun Drive. Call VPD with descriptors to claim.

Theft from Vehicle: Complainant reported that their Handicap tag had been stolen from their vehicle.

Fraud: A local business reported credit card fraud.


Welfare Check: Caller requested a welfare check on an individual that didn’t sound well over the phone before the call had been disconnected. Officers contacted the individual who stated they were fine and declined transportation to the hospital.

Weapons – Firearms: Complainant reported they were being shot at by an intoxicated individual. Officers arrived on scene and arrested Marvin Noffke, DOB 2/13/1942, of Copper Center for Assault 3rd Degree, Misconduct Involving Weapons 4th, and DUI.

Theft of Services: A local restaurant reported a couple had dined at their establishment, paid their bar tab but never paid their restaurant portion.

Aggressive Animal: Caller reported a Pitbull had just attacked their wife and their dog. The Pitbull was gone upon officer arrival. Case forwarded to the ACO.

6/19

Disturbance – Noise: Complainant reported that heavy equipment had started operating at 6am. The driver was contacted and informed that per the city ordinance the equipment couldn’t start before 7:00am.

Suicide – Firearm: Dispatch received a call that that there was an apparent suicide at a local campground. Officers and EMS were dispatched to the area. Investigation was completed and next of kin notified.

Bear Incident: A black bear, along with multiple vehicles, was stopped on the Tide Flats.

Welfare Check: Caller requested a welfare check on her daughter who was visiting Valdez. The complainant had received a strange message from her. Officers were able to locate her and she stated she was fine and would contact her mom.

Criminal Mischief: Complainant reported that a city maintained road that had just been graded was destroyed, possibly by a bulldozer. Officers located the individual that had caused the damage and issued a citation for Criminal Mischief.

Fraud: Caller requested to speak to an officer regarding a possible scam involving an ad on Craigslist.

Traffic Complaint: Complainant reported multiple vehicles parked on both side of the street on Hanagita impeding traffic. An officer responded and found vehicles parked on both sides of the street but not impeding traffic.

Camping Prohibited: CSO contacted a vehicle camping at Old Town and advised them that they needed to move to a campground.

Traffic Hazard: Complainant reported an individual was in the road throwing light bulbs at vehicles. Officers responded and found the individual was actually throwing eggs at vehicles. The individual was advised to go back to their residence for the night.

Disturbance – Other: Caller reported a large group of people had a large bonfire going under the Betty Cato Bridge. Officers made contact with the group who were all over 21 and just having fun.

Welfare Check: Caller reported hearing a loud boom and seeing a plume of smoke in the water near the Ferry Terminal. Officers responded and concluded that an individual had drove out in a dingy and let off a seal bomb.

DUI: Joseph Wimsatt, DOB 10/1/1958, of Anchorage, was arrested for DUI.

8/20

Curfew Violation: Caller reported a group of kids, possibly 14-16 years old, at the dock near the Ferry Terminal past curfew. Officers responded and were unable to locate any juveniles.

Civil Problems/Disputes: Caller requested to speak to an officer regarding an event that was going to take place on their property. The caller was concerned heavy equipment would be running near the area during the event causing a disruption. The caller was advised that it’s not considered a noise disturbance during the day so the police department would not be able to do anything about it.

Parking Problem: Complainant reported that vehicles were blocking the loading/unloading area at the Small Boat Harbor. The owners were contacted and told to move their vehicles.

Traffic Complaint: Three individuals from Poland were contacted regarding trying to squeeze through the construction area. They apologized.

VID: A local campground reported that their guests came across a vehicle on a tow dolly rolled over on its side in water on the side of the road at mile 28. The Alaska State Trooper was notified and responded.

Parking Problems: Complainant reported that a truck was parked in the roadway blocking semi trucks from accessing the area. The vehicle was moved prior to officers being dispatched to the area.

Welfare Check: Caller requested a welfare check on an individual lying in the grass with fishing poles near the Catholic Church. An officer made contact with the individual who was fine, just taking a break.

Disturbance – Other: A local business called to request an individual be trespassed from the property. Officers made contact with the individual and gave notice of the trespass.

ATV: An officer stopped with an ATV that was driving on the bike path on the Tide Flats. The officer informed the driver that the bike path was not for motorized vehicles.

Animal Impound: A black dog was reported running at large. CSO impounded the dog.

Disorderly Conduct: Complainant reported an individual was down at the Small Boat Harbor going crazy with a large stick. Officers contacted the individual and provided transportation back to his residence.

Criminal Mischief: Officers were flagged down by a construction employee who reported seeing someone taking cones from the construction site. Officers were able to locate the individual and confiscated the cones and delivered them back to the construction area.

Stop FI: While on routine patrol, an officer came upon a group of people setting up a bonfire. The officer spoke to a group of juveniles who were celebrating their football victory. The officer ensured there was no alcohol present and let them carry on their celebration.

8/21

Bear Incident: Large black bear sow and two cubs were near Mineral Creek Loop Road. CSO warned some pedestrians that the bears were in the area.

Camping Prohibited: CSO attempted to make contact at a camper parked at Old Town.

Animal at Large: CSO contacted an individual on Glacier Haul Road and reminded them of the Municipal leash law.

ATV: Caller reported a 4 wheeler on the bike path heading inbound on the Tide Flats. Officers were unable to locate the ATV.

ATV: Caller reported two small children riding a 4 wheeler on W Egan. Officers spoke to others in the area; no one had seen any children on an ATV.

Possible Drunk Driver: Caller reported following a vehicle outbound that was swerving all over the road. Officers were unable to locate the vehicle.

Theft of Property: Complainant reported their hot tub had been stolen. Officers were able to locate the hot tub, the individual agreed to return it.

Assault: Complainant reported being assaulted. Officers contacted all parties involved, separated them for the night.


Total Police and Animal calls for the week: 168