Terell Caldwell Facing Multiple Charges After Ramming Police

At 8:25 AM on April 15, 2024, a 2019 white Hyundai Sonata was reported as stolen to APD.   The unlocked vehicle was parked on the street in front of a residence on the 1900-block of Thunderbird Place at the time it was taken.  The keys were inside the sedan.

At 3:01 AM on April 16th, a mid-shift patrol officer spotted the stolen vehicle near E 16th Avenue and Norene Street.  As other officers responded to the area, the suspect drove into a nearby trailer park on the 3200-block of Penland Parkway.  One of the officers located the Hyundai on Karen Street; the patrol car and the Hyundai were being driven towards one another.  The officer activated his patrol vehicle’s emergency lights and siren.  The suspect purposely drove on the wrong side of the street and struck the patrol vehicle head-on with the Sonata.  The officer immediately recognized the suspect as 27-year-old Terell P. Caldwell from prior contacts with him.

In addition to smashing the patrol car, Caldwell also struck a parked and unoccupied Toyota Highlander.  After the collisions, Caldwell fled from the stolen Hyundai on foot.  Several officers had arrived in the area and set up a perimeter.  Officers located Caldwell running through the parking lot of the former Northway Mall.  Multiple commands were given to Caldwell, to include K9 warnings, all of which went unheeded.  K9 AC was deployed; he contacted Caldwell’s left side.  Caldwell initially continued to resist but was ultimately detained by officers in short order.  During the pat search officers found drug paraphernalia and meth on Caldwell’s person.  He was transported to the hospital for treatment of the bite.  After he was medically cleared, he was transported to the Anchorage Police Department for questioning by detectives. 

Throughout their entire contact with Caldwell, officers noticed signs of impairment commonly associated with drug use.  After administering Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs), the decision was made to charge Caldwell with Driving under the Influence.  Once arriving at the Anchorage Correctional Complex for further processing, Caldwell provided a breath sample showing his breath alcohol content was zero.  His blood was drawn subsequent to a search warrant being obtained.

Terell Caldwell was remanded on his two existing warrants:  one felony for the original charges of Assault III, Misconduct Involving a Weapon II, Misconduct Involving a Weapon III, and Criminal Mischief IV; and one misdemeanor for Violate Conditions of Release.   He was additionally charged with Fail to Stop, Vehicle Theft I, Resisting, DUI, two counts of Violate Conditions of Release, Theft II, Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance V, and Assault III.

The two passengers who were in the stolen Sonata with Caldwell were not charged.

The patrol vehicle Caldwell intentionally rammed was disabled from the collision.  The officer experienced immediate pain from the impact.

APD Cases 24-11622 and 24-11729

For information on how to obtain the criminal history of any Alaskan, you may do so online via Court View on the State’s website.