Louis Tavares arrested by K9 Midas. Michele Virden charged for Hindering.

At 12:19 PM on February 1, 2022, members of the State of Alaska Sex Offender Task Force* responded to the Executive Suites Hotel at 4360 Spenard Road with the intent to locate 43-year-old Louis C. Tavares.  Tavares had two felony warrants; one for Assault III and the other for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.   While some officers attempted contact with Tavares at his second-floor hotel room, an APD K9 Officer and an Alaska State Trooper set up outside behind the building.  When the officers knocked on the hotel room door, Tavares climbed out of the rear window and jumped to the ground.

Tavares fled on foot all the while ignoring the K9 warnings that were being given to him.  K9 Midas was deployed; Midas contacted Tavares’ arm at which time officers took Tavares into custody without further incident.  Once Tavares’ was medically cleared at a hospital for the dog bite, he was remanded at the Anchorage Jail on his two warrants.  He was additionally charged with Resisting.

29-year-old Michele R. Virden was inside the hotel room with Tavares.  One week prior, Virden was contacted by APD Officers at the same hotel who informed her that Tavares had felony warrants out for his arrest. At that time Virden was uncooperative and would not allow officers inside to look for Tavares.  On that day, officers did not yet have confirmation that Tavares was inside the room with her. 

One week later, on February 1st, officers did have confirmation that Tavares was inside the hotel room with Virden which prompted the response by the Task Force.  Once Tavares was taken into custody outside by K9 Midas, Virden was arrested for Hindering Prosecution I.  She was remanded at Hiland Correctional.

APD Case 22-3579

*The State of Alaska Sex Offender Task Force is comprised of officers from the Anchorage Police Department, the Alaska State Troopers, and the United States Marshals Service.