At 3:42 AM on January 27, 2022, a mid-shift patrol officer conducted a traffic stop on the 3700-block of Spenard Road on a blue 2019 Toyota RAV4 that was being driven without its headlights or taillights illuminated. The officer contacted the driver, later identified as 33-year-old Michael A. Knight, and explained to Knight the reason for the stop.  The officer noticed that Knight did not appear to know where specific controls on the dashboard were located or what the function of the various knobs were.  Due to this behavior, and the way Knight answered other questions about the Toyota, the officer became concerned that Knight was driving the vehicle without the owner’s permission.

Officers were able to locate a phone number for the Toyota’s owner.  It was through that conversation that it was determined the owner had inadvertently left a key in the lock on the outside door of her residence in a downtown neighborhood; Knight had gained access to the home through that door.  While the owner was sleeping, Knight went through the victim’s house and then left by driving away in the victim’s Toyota which had been parked in the garage.  Knight also removed items from inside the house.  The victim was unaware the burglary had occurred prior to being woken up by the officer’s phone call. 

Once this information was learned, Knight was detained for further questioning.  During the pat search, officers located credit cards on Knight’s person that belonged to the vehicle’s owner.  Officers also found fresh damage to the Toyota’s right front bumper and quarter panel.  The vehicle’s owner confirmed there had not been any damage to the Toyota prior to it being stolen.

Knight was transported to the Anchorage Police Department for questioning by detectives.  Afterwards he was remanded at the Anchorage Jail on the charges of Vehicle Theft I, Theft II – Larceny, two counts of Theft II – Access Device, and Burglary I.

APD Case 22-2991

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.