Joseph Ahgeak Facing Several Charges in Stolen Vehicle Investigation

At 2:22 PM on January 31, 2024, a 1999 silver Saab 900 was reported as stolen to APD.  The vehicle had been parked and locked outside a residence on the 2600-block of Nelchina Street at the time of the theft.

At 5:39 AM on February 6, 2024, a mid-shift patrol officer saw the stolen vehicle parked outside an apartment complex located on the 300-block of Bragaw Street.  An adult male in the driver’s seat, and an adult female in the passenger seat, were both passed out.  Once additional officers arrived, they used their patrol vehicles to block in the Saab; the patrol vehicles’ emergency lights were activated. The male woke up, exited the stolen car, and ran.  As officers gave chase, they could see a handgun in a holster on the suspect’s hip.  The suspect, 35-year-old Joseph F. Ahgeak, ran into a propped open door at the complex and locked himself inside.

Residents of the building let officers inside; they directed the police to the third floor.  Witnesses told police they saw the suspect with a gun.  While officers were searching for the suspect, they saw a handgun stashed in a wall mounted fire extinguisher box outside one of the units.  Shortly thereafter, Dispatch received a call from someone stating their apartment had just been broken into.  The address given was for the same apartment the gun had been found outside of.  Officers noticed the door to the target apartment was ajar.  Officers entered and contacted the residents who were cooperative with police and asked that their apartment be searched for an intruder.  Ahgeak was found hiding inside a bedroom closet; he was detained without further incident. 

There is no indication Ahgeak knew the people who lived in the apartment nor did Ahgeak live in any of the apartments inside the complex.  It was determined Ahgeak had forced entry through the apartment door which caused damage.  An adult male and his three young children were inside at the time Ahgeak broke in.  They were not harmed.  The gun officers found concealed in the fire extinguisher box was determined to be the same one Ahgeak had been seen carrying when he ran from the stolen Saab.

Ahgeak was transported to the Anchorage Police Department for questioning by detectives.  While there, Ahgeak began exhibiting signs consistent with a drug overdose.  He was taken to the hospital for treatment.  Once he was medically cleared, he was driven to the Anchorage Correctional Complex for remand on two existing warrants and for the new charges of Violate Conditions of Release, Misconduct Involving a Weapon III – Felon in Possession, Resisting, Vehicle Theft I, Burglary I, Theft II, and Criminal Mischief IV.  During processing at the jail, Correctional Officers found fentanyl pills hidden on Ahgeak’s person.  He was additionally charged with Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance IV.

The female passenger found in the stolen Saab with Ahgeak was transported to the hospital for treatment of an apparent drug overdose; she was not charged.

Through the investigation it was determined the Saab’s owner had allowed his adult daughter to use the vehicle.  Ahgeak and the daughter were known to one another.  After the daughter passed away, Ahgeak took the car which he did not have permission to drive.

APD Case 24-3486 and 24-4113

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