Now the group is facing an array of charges ranging from burglary and theft to drug violations and disorderly conduct.
Troopers say the Selawik Native Store was burglarized some time Friday night or Saturday morning. The suspects broke in, causing about $500 in damage, and stole a large, undisclosed amount of money, troopers said.
On Sunday, troopers caught a break in the case.
"Troopers received reports of the stolen currency being displayed by individuals throughout the village of Selawik," troopers said in a statement.
"Concerned local residents" in Selawik, population 850, helped troopers find and recover a large portion of the stolen money the next day, troopers said.
During the course of the investigation, troopers contacted two people whom they found to be in possession of a small amount of marijuana.
John Mitchell Jr., 29, of Selawik, and Clifford Griest, 28, of Kotzebue, were charged with sixth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance, troopers said. Mitchell also "refused to cooperate with troopers" and was charged with disorderly conduct, troopers said. He was booked in the Kotzebue jail.
Charged with second-degree theft are Vanessa Mitchell, 27; Daniel "Eric" Davis, 29; Loren Smith, 30; Calvin Clark, 32; and Douglas Mitchell, 20, troopers said. All are Selawik residents.
Charged with third-degree theft are Selawik residents Theodore Berry, 43; Frederick "Marvin" Berry, 47; and Wesley Mitchell, 57. Mitchell was also allegedly found to be manufacturing and selling home-brew out of his home and was charged with bootlegging.
Troopers say alcohol was a factor in the burglary. Selawik is a dry village whose residents on Tuesday voted to keep it that way.
All the suspects were transported to jail in Kotzebue.
Troopers say their investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call troopers in Kotzebue at 800-789-3222.
Find James Halpin online at adn.com/contact/jhalpin or call him at 257-4589.
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