Large Police Presence Mile 7.5 Hiland Road in Eagle River
Update at 2:30 PM:
At 5:54 AM on July 19, 2023, a black Dodge Ram was reported as stolen to APD. Initial indications are that an adult male and adult female heard their truck running outside their residence on the 200-block of Park Street in Anchorage (the vehicle had been left unlocked with the keys inside). When the male owner went outside, he saw his Dodge being driven down the street. The victim male got into the female victim’s vehicle and followed the suspect. The female victim stayed behind and called police.
The victim male followed the suspect to Eagle River. At mile 2 of Hiland Road, 35-year-old Oscar M. Mulluk pointed a gun out the window of the stolen Dodge and fired a single shot. The victim stopped following the suspect at that time. The victim was not injured.
Officers arrived in the area. At mile 7.5 of Hiland Road, a patrol officer saw Mulluk exit the Dodge and flee into the woods on foot. A perimeter was set up and a K9 track was conducted. Mulluk was found sleeping inside an unoccupied cabin that did not belong to him. Police made loud noises which woke the suspect up. Mulluk exited the cabin without further incident and was taken into custody at 10:03 AM. Mulluk was treated by AFD medics for minor cuts he had received while running through the woods.
After being interviewed by detectives at the Anchorage Police Department, Mulluk was remanded at the Anchorage Jail on an existing Fail to Appear felony warrant for the original charges of Vehicle Theft I, Theft II, and Fail to Stop. He was additionally charged with Assault III, Theft I, Burglary I, Vehicle Theft I, Criminal Trespass, and Misconduct Involving a Weapon I.
Officers assigned to several different units participated in the search. Those units include day shift patrol, mid-shift patrol, Traffic, SWAT, and K9.
Update at 10:15 AM:
A person has been detained for questioning. Police will maintain a presence while the area is being processed. Thank you for your cooperation.
More information will be forthcoming.
Original at 7:30 AM:
There is a large police presence near the South Fork Valley Trailhead (W River Drive)/Mile 7.5 Hiland Road in Eagle River. Police are looking for a vehicle theft suspect armed with a gun. The only suspect description thus far is a male dressed in all dark clothing.
No injuries have been reported. Police are asking for area residents to call in any suspicious persons they may see to APD Dispatch at 9-1-1.
A drone and K9 will be used in the search. Please avoid the area if you can; follow the instructions of officers if you do need to be in the vicinity.
APD Case 23-22985
