Alaska State Troopers are investigating the theft of thousands of dollars in property from two parked vehicles in Soldotna.
Both incidents occurred on Iditarod Street on Saturday, and are believed to be related, according to Alaska State Troopers Public Information Officer Megan Peters.
Three rifles, a 257 Roberts, Winchester 30-30 and a .22 long rifle; a go-pro camera with accessories; raingear; and a backpack were reported stolen, at 7 a.m. Saturday from an unsecured truck, according to an online troopers dispatch. The second call came in at noon the same day, and an investigation found $2,500 in stolen items, according to another dispatch.
Troopers are not releasing what items were stolen from the second vehicle at this time, Peters wrote in an email.
The first incident is being reported as second-degree theft and second-degree criminal trespass. The second incident has not yet been assigned a degree of charge, which will likely depend on the outcome of the investigation, Peters wrote in an email.
Peters added that this type of crime is common, and does not believe a spike in incidents has occurred in the area.
“People should remember that this type of crime is often a crime of opportunity,” Peters wrote in an email. “People can lock their vehicles, take the keys out of their vehicles, turn lights on outside or park in a well-lit area, get cameras, do not leave items of value in plain sight.”
Both thefts are still under investigation. Troopers ask that anyone with information call the Soldotna office at 262-4453.
Reach Kelly Sullivan at kelly.sullivan@peninsulaclarion.com.
