Crime & Courts

Wasilla man attempted to escape arrest through small pet door, troopers say

A 25-year-old Wasilla man tried to escape arrest for violating probation Saturday morning by crawling through a small pet door in a residence, according to an Alaska State Troopers news brief.

Tristen Balthazore’s escape attempt was unsuccessful and after a short chase, he was apprehended by state troopers, troopers said.

State troopers first arrived at a Wasilla residence on Woodruff Loop at 10:43 a.m. with an arrest warrant for Balthazore, and the homeowner let troopers inside, troopers said. An investigation had shown that Balthazore had failed to comply with the conditions of his probation, according to the news release.

Once inside, troopers found Balthazore escaping out of the pet door with the help of 26-year-old Stephanie Roy, also of Wasilla, according to the news release. Balthazore ran away, and troopers chased him briefly on foot before arresting him.

Roy was also arrested and charged with hindering prosecution, troopers said.

Troopers said they also happened to find 21-year-old Jeffery Munholland Jr. at the same residence, who had a warrant for failing to appear in court. He was also apprehended, troopers said.

All three were taken to Mat-Su Pretrial jail facility, and bail for Balthazore was set at $500, troopers said.

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