2 accused in attempted Christmas Eve car theft

Alaska State Troopers logo.

Alaska State Troopers logo.

Alaska State Troopers are searching for two women accused of attempting to steal a truck at a gas station in Sterling on Christmas Eve, according to a Jan. 2 affidavit filed at the Kenai Courthouse.

Search warrants have been issued for Janelle Haddock, 32, of Seward, and Victoria Piro, 21, of Seward, after the two were identified as the suspects of an attempted car theft at Big John’s gas station in Sterling on Dec. 24, according to court documents.

On the night of the incident, troopers arrived at the scene and interviewed three witnesses, one of whom was the owner of a Ford truck that the two women allegedly tried to steal before leaving the scene in their own vehicle. According to the witnesses, two women arrived at the gas station in a light grey Mazda CX3, and one of them exited the Mazda to attempt to steal the Ford truck. One of the witnesses chased down the truck and got into the cab, which caused the car thief to leave the truck and get back in the SUV.

A trooper who was on his way to the gas station saw the two women driving northbound on the Sterling Highway that night, but was unable to follow them after they turned down a side road, according to the affidavit.

After searching the license plate number of the grey Mazda, troopers showed pictures of the vehicle owners — Haddock and Piro — to the witnesses, who confirmed that those two women had attempted to steal the truck, according to court documents.

Troopers requested arrest warrants for Piro and Haddock on Jan. 2, citing that the two had avoided multiple attempted contacts with troopers and had refused to meet or return phone calls. The warrants were granted by Magistrate Kimberly Sweet on Jan. 4.

Both Piro and Haddock face one charge of first-degree vehicle theft, a Class C felony.

Reach reporter Brian Mazurek at bmazurek@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Pool manager and swim coach Will Hubler leads a treading water exercise at Kenai Central High School on Tuesday.
Pools, theaters, libraries in jeopardy as cuts loom

The district issued “notices of non-retention” to all its pool managers, library aides and theater technicians.

A sockeye salmon is pictured in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Fishing slow on Russian River, improving on Kenai

Northern Kenai fishing report for Tuesday, June 17.

Josiah Kelly, right, appears for a superior court arraignment at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Anchor Point man accepts plea deal for November shootings

Buildings operated by a local health clinic and an addiction recovery nonprofit were targeted.

A demonstrator holds up a sign during the “No Kings” protest on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Homer hits the streets to say ‘No Kings’

Around 700 gathered locally as part of a nationwide protest.

Brooklyn Coleman, right, staffs The Squeeze Squad lemonade stand during Lemonade Day in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kids learn business skills at annual Lemonade Day

Around 40 stands were strewn around Soldotna, Kenai, Nikiski and Sterling for the event.

Planes are showcased at the Kenai Air Fair in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai fair shows off aircraft of all kinds

Cargo planes to helicopters were on display Saturday.

David Meyer. Photo courtesy of Chantrelle Meyer
Volunteers continue search for missing Happy Valley man

David Meyer was reported missing June 11 while kayaking in Cook Inlet.

Boats at Douglas Harbor under mostly clear skies on Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
80°F in Juneau will trigger first-ever National Weather Service heat advisories

Officials say sun’s angle in Alaska makes temperatures feel higher compared to other states.

People carrying flags and signs line the Sterling Highway for a “No Kings” protest in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna ‘No Kings’ protest draws hundreds

The nationwide protest came the same day as a military parade organized at the behest of the Trump administration.

Most Read