A Kenai man has been charged with burglary, theft and assault after allegedly breaking into several businesses, according to two criminal complaints filed at the Kenai Courthouse on May 7.
Grayden Mendenhall, 24, of Kenai, is accused of breaking into Carquest, Pot of Gold Pull Tabs and Credit Union 1 in Soldotna, and assaulting an employee of the Holiday Gas Station in Soldotna on May 5.
Soldotna Police received separate reports of overnight break-ins at the Soldotna businesses, according to the complaint. On May 5, while a Soldotna Police officer was investigating the scene at Carquest, a white Chevy pickup was seen by a State Trooper leaving the parking lot of Carquest. The Soldotna Officer found the truck about a mile down the Sterling Highway at the Holiday Gas Station in Soldotna and found Mendenhall in a physical confrontation with the gas station employee, police reported.
Mendenhall had allegedly attempted to steal a Juul e-cigarette and Juul pod kit after his debit card was declined, and the employee tried to stop Mendenhall from leaving with the stolen goods. The police officer subdued Mendenhall with a stun gun and questioned him about the burgarly at Carquest.
While being questioned by police, Mendenhall allegedly admitted to breaking the windows at Carquest, kicking in its office door and taking several sets of keys from the building. Mendenhall also admitted that he stole the Chevy pickup, which he drove to the gas station, police reported.
A breathalyzer test showed Mendenhall had a breath alcohol concentration of .175, which is more than double the legal limit of .08.
Police found four vehicle keys and three fuel cards worth $450 in Mendenhall’s possession. The damage to the Carquest property was estimated at over $750.
Security footage from Credit Union 1 showed Mendenhall approaching the drive-thru window and repeatedly smashing a rock against the glass, according to police. The damage was estimated to be at least $750.
Mendenhall faces two counts of third-degree criminal mischief, a class C felony, one count of second-degree burglary, a class C felony, one count of first-degree vehicle theft, a class C felony, one count of second-degree theft, a class C felony, one count of fourth-degree assault, a class A misdemeanor, one count of driving under the influence, a class A misdemeanor, and one count of fourth-degree theft, a class B misdemeanor.
