Woman indicted for stealing thousands in fishing gear

Woman indicted for stealing thousands in fishing gear

A Kenai woman accused of stealing thousands of dollars in fishing gear from several Soldotna properties was indicted on multiple felony counts last week.

Pamela D. Rickard, 47, was indicted April 25 on charges of theft, burglary, criminal mischief, trespassing, owning burglary tools and heroin possession.

Rickard was arrested in March after police found suspected stolen goods, including approximately 30 fishing reels, 14 fishing rods, rain jackets, Garmin GPS, navigation antennas and a downrigger, during a search of her home, according to an Alaska State Troopers affidavit filed with the court.

In October, owners of three Soldotna properties reported that approximately $39,000 in goods has been stolen from them, including thousands of dollars worth of fishing equipment and a GMC Suburban.

When interviewed by troopers, Rickard gave conflicting reports about where the property had come from, but said she did not own a boat, had not had a fishing license for years, and has back problems that prevent her from fishing, troopers said.

Along with the items that matched descriptions of those stolen in October, police also allegedly found items that had not specifically been reported as stolen from the Soldotna properties, including numerous pairs of waders and pellet guns.

Burglary tools, including a pry bar, were found in Rickard’s bedroom, troopers reported.

Rickard faces one charge of first-degree theft, a class B felony; three counts of first-degree burglary, a class B felony; two count of second-degree burglary, a class C felony; third-degree criminal mischief, a class C felony; first-degree criminal trespass, a class A misdemeanor; possession of burglary tools, a class A misdemeanor; and fourth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor.

A first-degree theft charge filed against Rickard in the same case was dismissed in March and refiled last week. Rickard is scheduled to be arraigned in Superior Court May 8.

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