A Homer woman accused of stealing a motorhome was arrested last week after troopers allegedly found her trying to rescue the stranded vehicle from a ditch on a Nikiski roadway.
Natasha L. Johnston, 39, was charged Friday with first-degree vehicle theft, a class C felony, after allegedly driving away with the motorhome and its title while inspecting it for purchase.
A business owner, who said he was trying to sell the motorhome for a friend, told Alaska State Troopers last week that he met with a woman — whom he believed was named Sasha — and another man to discuss the sale, according to a trooper affidavit filed with the court.
The man selling the motor home described Sasha as having distinctive features, including five-pointed stars tattooed on her face. He said the two had discussed trading the motorhome for several items, including a Ford Aspire and a chainsaw.
While the seller was dealing with other business, however, the woman drove away with the motorhome and its title. Her male companion drove away with the Ford Aspire, the man said.
Troopers received reports Thursday of an unoccupied motorhome blocking the parts of Island Lake Road in Nikiski. When troopers arrived, however, they reportedly found Johnston, who has a “plethora of stars tattooed on her face,” in the driver’s seat of the vehicle, which was dangling backward over a ditch. A man matching the description of Johnston’s companion on the day of the alleged car theft was also on the scene and tried to get into a different car but stopped when directed by troopers, according to the affidavit.
When interviewed, Johnston reportedly gave contradictory answers to troopers about how she had gotten the motorhome. She was arrested on one charge of first-degree vehicle theft and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility. Bail was set at $1,000 cash performance bond.
Johnston also faces felony theft, burglary and misdemeanor criminal mischief charges in Homer court for a July 9 incident in Ninilchik.
Reach Erin Thompson at ethompson@peninsulaclarion.com.
