Crime & Courts

Law enforcement searching for Togiak man who busted out of the local jail

The search continues for a 27-year-old Togiak man who escaped from the local jail in the Southwest Alaska village on Saturday, according to Alaska State Troopers.

Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said in an email Monday afternoon that Justin Forbes has not been recaptured.

According to a trooper dispatch posted Sunday, local law enforcement arrested Forbes on a felony charge prior to his escape.

Peters said Forbes was jailed around 8 p.m. Friday on multiple counts of third-degree assault and weapons misconduct for an alleged Feb. 21 incident.

Troopers reported Saturday that it was an alleged crime of domestic violence. There are prior assaults between Forbes and his girlfriend, they said. A local heath aide noticed "significant injuries" on the woman, and a subsequent investigation found Forbes hurt the woman, including biting her on the arm, Peters said.

Troopers were told about the escape at about 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

"Forbes pushed his way past the jail guard who opened the door to give him toiletries," Peters said. The guard was not injured during the escape, she said.

Troopers urge anyone with information to call them at 800-478-5118, or the Togiak police at 907-493-5212.

Jerzy Shedlock

Jerzy Shedlock is a former reporter for Alaska Dispatch News. He left the ADN in 2017.

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