Kieu Phu and Robert McKinley facing multiple drug and weapons charges due to traffic stop

At 5:32 AM on September 1, 2021, a 2018 black Subaru Impreza was reported as stolen to police. The vehicle was parked outside a residence on the 3000-block of Redwood Street at the time of the theft.

At 6:54 PM on January 8, 2022, a swing-shift patrol officer initiated a traffic stop on a Subaru at E 6th Avenue and Gambell Street for an equipment violation.  The adult female in the front passenger seat, later identified as 33-year-old Kieu L. Phu, was not wearing a seatbelt and she had a bag of marijuana under her leg.  She was also quickly pulling items out of her purse and stashing them inside the vehicle. When Phu was escorted out of the Subaru, she dropped a baggie of meth.  In plain view inside the Subaru, officers could see drugs and drug paraphernalia. 

The adult male driver, 43-year-old Robert L. McKinley, was asked to step out of the vehicle.  He was subsequently detained while officers continued their investigation.  A computer check revealed the license plate displayed on the Subaru did not match the vehicle’s VIN.  A check of the VIN confirmed the Subaru had been reported as stolen over four months prior. 

After a search warrant was obtained, the Subaru was searched.  A large sum of cash, meth, heroin, and two handguns were among the items seized for evidence.

Robert McKinley was remanded at the Anchorage Jail on the charges of Vehicle Theft I, Misconduct Involving a Weapon II – Drug Crime, Misconduct Involving a Weapon III – Felon in Possession, and Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance II.

 Kieu Phu was remanded at Hiland Correctional on three outstanding warrants.  She was additionally charged with Misconduct Involving a Weapon II – Drug Crime, Misconduct Involving a Weapon III – Felon in Possession, Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance II, Tampering with Physical Evidence, Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance IV, and Misconduct Involving a Weapon V.

 APD Cases 21-28074 and 22-870

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.