Alaska News

Suspects, victims arrested in attempted robbery of Anchorage marijuana grow

Six people were arrested in the attempted robbery of a residential marijuana grow operation early Sunday, including the victims, Anchorage police said.

Four suspects allegedly kicked down the door of a Northeast Anchorage home and hit one of its residents in the attempted robbery, according to a statement from the Anchorage Police Department.

Responding officers also arrested the victims of the home invasion for child neglect, saying the couple put a child in danger by running the pot grow and doing business with the robbery suspects.

Police were called to the 3200 block of Penland Parkway at 4:43 a.m. in response to a home invasion robbery call.

"Upon arrival, officers learned that at least two armed individuals had forced themselves into the residence after kicking the door and breaking it from its hinges. The suspects confronted the occupants and demanded that the residents 'get down,'" the police statement said.

One of the residents was struck in the head, according to police.

"The residents fought back and were able to successfully relieve one of the robbers of his weapon, causing the robbers to retreat from the residence."

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A few minutes later, police stopped a vehicle near the house they deemed suspicious and arrested Chantel L. Rushing, 21, and Jacobi Stephens, 22, who were charged with robbery, burglary and third-degree assault.

Demitri Scott, 21, and James Griffin, 23, were charged with robbery and burglary as well as three counts of third-degree assault.

The victims of the home invasion, 25-year-old Amanda Loyd and 24-year-old Jonah Robinson, were arrested on child neglect charges.

According to police, Loyd and Robinson endangered 3-year-old child who was home at the time of the robbery by growing and selling marijuana from the home. They had recently "conducted a transaction" with the suspects, police said.

"The Child Neglect charges stem from Loyd and Robinson exposing the child to dangerous circumstances and placing the child at risk due to their drug related activities and behavior," the APD said in a statement.

Robinson kicked out the rear window of a police cruiser and now also faces a malicious destruction of property charge.

All six were taken to the Anchorage Jail, police said.

The child is being cared for by other family members.

Reach Michelle Theriault Boots at mtheriault@adn.com or 257-4344.

By MICHELLE THERIAULT BOOTS

mtheriault@adn.com

Michelle Theriault Boots

Michelle Theriault Boots is a longtime reporter for the Anchorage Daily News. She focuses on in-depth stories about the intersection of public policy and Alaskans' lives. Before joining the ADN in 2012, she worked at daily newspapers up and down the West Coast and earned a master's degree from the University of Oregon.

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