4 accused of trying to steal water heater from house of dead man

4 accused of trying to steal water heater from house of dead man

Four people were charged with felony burglary for allegedly breaking into the home of a deceased man in Nikiski.

Bradly Martin Luke, 25, Kenneth Paxton Oder, 49, Alicia Marie Ridge, 28, and Dominic Sunrise Ronellenfitch, 23, allegedly went to a Nikiski residence on Jan. 8 and attempted to steal a water heater.

According to an Alaska State Trooper affidavit filed with the court, a neighbor reported that three men in a dark-colored pickup were outside the residence, which the neighbor knew to be unoccupied. When troopers arrived on scene, they identified two vehicles parked outside of the home, with Ronellenfitch standing outside the truck and the three others sitting inside a second car. While questioning Ronellenfitch, the troopers observed a large water heater in the bed of the truck, according to the affidavit.

Each of the four suspects gave a different explanation to troopers as to why they were outside the residence and why the water heater was in the back of the truck, troopers reported. Luke falsely identified himself to the troopers, according to the affidavit. After further questioning, Luke told the troopers that the four of them had driven to the unoccupied residence together with the intention of taking the water heater and putting it in Oder’s home, according to the affidavit.

Luke faces one charge of reporting false information when cited or served a warrant, a class A misdemeanor, one count of violating conditions of release, a class B misdemeanor, one count of first-degree burglary of a dwelling, a class B felony, and one count of third-degree theft, a class A misdemeanor.

Oder, Ridge, and Ronellenfitch each face one count of first-degree burglary and one count of third-degree theft. Their preliminary hearing is on Jan. 22.


• By BRIAN MAZUREK, Peninsula Clarion


More in News

Attorneys Eric Derleth and Dan Strigle speak to Superior Court Judge Kelly Lawson during the opening arguments of State of Alaska v. Nathan Erfurth at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Opening arguments offered in Erfurth trial

The trial is set to continue for around two weeks, into early August.

Evacuees in Seward, Alaska, walk along Adams Street following a tsunami warning on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Update: Tsunami warning downgraded to advisory

An all clear was issued for Kachemak Bay communities at 1:48 p.m. by the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management.

The Ninilchik River on May 18, 2019, in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Ninilchik River to remain closed to king salmon fishing

It was an “error in regulation” that would have opened the Ninilchik River to king salmon fishing on Wednesday.

A table used by parties to a case sits empty in Courtroom 4 of the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski woman sentenced to 4 years in prison for 2023 drug death

Lawana Barker was sentenced for her role in the 2023 death of Michael Rodgers.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Seward resident arrested after Monday night police pursuit

Troopers say she led them on a high-speed chase on Kalifornsky Beach Road for around 7 miles.

Concert-goers listen to The Discopians at Concert on the Lawn on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Karen Hornaday Park in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
‘Dancing at the end of the world’

KBBI AM 890 hosted their annual Concert on the Lawn Saturday.

Lisa Gabriel unfurls a set beach seine during a test fishery for the gear near Clam Gulch, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Seine test fishery continues after board of fish calls for more data

The east side setnet fishery has been entirely closed in recent years to protect Kenai River king salmon

Jason Criss stands for a photo in Soldotna, Alaska, after being named a qualifier for the Special Olympics USA Games on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna athlete to compete in 2026 Special Olympics USA Games

Thousands of athletes from across all 50 states will be competing in 16 sports.

Most Read