Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the extent of the charges against Katie Wright.
A Kasilof man accused of kidnapping has been approved to be supervised by two third-party custodians.
Frank Bush, 29, was charged on March 1 with crimes including kidnapping and assault for incidents authorities allege happened in various spots on the Kenai Peninsula in late February. Kenai police say a man called 911 and said he was being held in the back of Bush’s pickup truck, and that he had been taken to homes in the Kasilof and Sterling areas where he was beaten and threatened.
The alleged victim told police the incident began when he, Bush and two others went to look at an ATV that Bush was supposed to pick up, and that Bush became upset when it wasn’t there. Kenai police eventually found the man when he ran from Bush’s vehicle in Kenai. Police also arrested 31-year-old Katie Wright, who they said ran after the alleged victim as he escaped. She has been charged with counts of kidnapping, assault and misconduct involving weapons, according to online court records.
Bush fled the scene on foot at that time and police found him in mid-March.
Kenai Superior Court Judge Jennifer Wells approved Margaret Howell-Rookard, Bush’s aunt, and Oscar Rookard, her husband, as third-party custodians for Bush during a bail hearing Wednesday at the Kenai Courthouse. If he is released to them, he would still face certain bail conditions as well as a $25,000 cash performance bond.
The pair were approved to be custodians for Bush once before, and both said on the stand that they had no issues with him following the rules of his release. Both said Bush was very helpful to them while under their supervision in the past.
Wells noted before she approved the custodians that she had some concerns about Bush being out on bail, especially since he evaded police for the better part of a month before being found and arrested in Nikiski.
Bush’s next court date is set for June.
Reach Megan Pacer at megan.pacer@peninsulaclarion.com.
