Alaska State Troopers arrested three people on theft, robbery and attempted-murder charges Wednesday night after they allegedly robbed two men at gunpoint, then stopped to fire on them when they pursued the suspects’ getaway vehicle.
Troopers received a 911 call at 8:46 p.m. Wednesday from the men, who reported that had been robbed in the parking lot of the Clamshell Lodge in Clam Gulch -- and were following the suspects. They said that the vehicle’s driver got out near Mile 14 of Kalifornsky Beach Road and fired two shots at them, before continuing toward Kenai with the men in hot pursuit.
Troopers say the men later lost sight of the vehicle, but provided enough information for troopers to stop it near Mile 4 of the Kenai Spur Highway.
AST spokesperson Megan Peters says troopers generally discourage people from independently trying to pursue suspects in crimes.
"Usually, people should call police and let people who are trained handle the situation," Peters said.
All three of the vehicle’s occupants -- 36-year-old Paul M. Larson of Wasilla, 30-year-old Jill C. Abear of Anchor Point, and 21-year-old Dessie L. Ozhuwan of Kenai -- were arrested for first-degree robbery, second-degree theft and attempted murder. They were remanded to the Wildwood Pretrial Facility in Kenai.
Troopers are continuing to investigate the incident.
