At 10:40 PM on February 7, 2024, a silver 2007 Chevy Montecarlo was reported as stolen to APD.  The vehicle had been left parked and unlocked with the keys inside outside a business on the 4200-block of Arctic Boulevard at the time it was taken.

A few hours later, at 12:02 AM on February 8th, a mid-shift patrol officer saw the stolen vehicle being driven near Lake Otis Parkway and E Tudor Road.  Officers briefly lost sight of the car in traffic and began searching the area.  A K9 officer reacquired visual on the vehicle on Gilmore Court.  Once the suspect driver pulled into a residential driveway on the 4100-block of Wilson Street, the officer pulled up behind him.  The suspect, later identified as 31-year-old Sabu S. Utai, put the Chevy in reverse and backed into the K9’s push bumper.  Utai then tried to pull forward but was unable to do so on the ice. 

Utai opened the driver’s door at which time the K9 handler exited his patrol vehicle and began issuing commands to include K9 warnings.  Utai ignored the officer, departed from the stolen Chevy, ran to the front door of the residence, beat on the front door, and yelled for the occupants to let him inside.  K9 AC was deployed but unable to capture Utai due to Utai kicking at the dog.  Utai continued trying to get into the home; the K9 handler went hands on to keep Utai from forcing entry into the house.  A physical struggle ensued which included Utai punching the officer in the face. Shortly thereafter another officer arrived which allowed the officers to take Utai to the ground.  Utai continued to fight; K9 AC reengaged and ultimately gained control of Utai’s leg.  Shortly after K9 AC had hold of the suspect, multiple officers arrived and eventually got Utai into handcuffs.  Utai physically resisted the entire time.

The injuries sustained by the K9 handler did not require medical attention.  Neither K9 AC nor any of the other officers involved were injured. 

Utai was transported to the hospital for treatment of a dog bite to one arm and for a bite to one leg.  Afterwards he was remanded at the Anchorage Correctional Complex on the charges of Vehicle Theft I, Theft II, Assault on a Police Officer, Harm a Police Dog II, Resisting, and Reckless Driving.

APD Cases 24-4318 and 24-4331

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.