NOME, Alaska — A string of burglaries and thefts has struck Emmonak recently. There have been at least six incidents in the last two weeks.
“More than likely, all of these burglaries are going to connect back to three or four individuals,” said Brent Hatch, a Sergeant with the Alaska State Troopers in St Mary’s.
The burglaries began on February 11 when suspects broke into the Emmonak gas station. They stole cash and cigarettes. Troopers are still investigating. Hatch could not share the value of the stolen items.
“We have a very good idea of who it is,” he said. “Somebody will ultimately more than likely be charged with that one.”
Troopers have also identified suspects in a burglary at Grant Aviation, where Hatch said medication was stolen from U.S. Postal Service mail. In another break-in at the grocery store, he said nothing was stolen after an audible alarm scared away intruders.
“If I could get every business to have one of those, the burglaries would pretty much stop,” he said.
Three other investigations have closed, because Hatch said Troopers couldn’t identify suspects or solid leads. One incident includes a foiled burglary at Emmonak’s Family Restaurant. He also said a four-wheeler was hotwired, a smartphone was stolen, and a number of electronic tablets have gone missing.
“So if anybody in the communities of Emmonak, Alakanuk, or Kotlik is showing up with a brand-new Samsung tablet that they can’t explain, we would appreciate information on that,” he said.
Hatch said the number of recent incidents is high, but not unusual. He said these crimes often occur in cycles. He also asked anyone with information on any of the Emmonak burglaries to call the Alaska State Troopers.
