At 3:34 PM on September 4, 2023, Anchorage Police responded to the Dimond Center parking lot at 800 E Dimond Boulevard regarding a carjacking.  Initial indications are that an adult female had pulled into a parking space when she was approached by 27-year-old Samuel S. Deatherage.  Deatherage opened the door of the victim’s Jeep and forcibly pulled the driver out, causing injury to her in the process.  Deatherage grabbed hold of the victim’s purse strap which she was wearing cross-body style.  To escape the suspect, the female freed herself from the purse by ducking down which allowed her to run as she was screaming for help.  Multiple witnesses came to the victim’s aid, but Deatherage was able to drive away in the Jeep; he took the victim’s purse with him.

Officers searched for the suspect but were unable to locate him; a locate for both him and the stolen Jeep were aired over the police radio.  Medics with the Anchorage Fire Department responded and tended to the victim; she declined to be transported to a hospital.

Just over two hours later, at 5:44 PM, a citizen called Police Dispatch to report a Jeep that was being driven erratically near C Street and W Dowling Road.  The citizen caller was able to provide the Jeep’s license plate which matched the Jeep that had been stolen two hours prior.  Officers located the Jeep and followed it until additional units could arrive in the area.  Once enough resources were in place, a traffic stop was initiated on the Jeep at Fischer Avenue and Lynwood Drive.  Deatherage was compliant with officers’ commands; he was taken into custody without incident.

Samuel Deatherage was remanded at the Anchorage Jail on the charges of Violate Conditions of Release, Robbery II, Vehicle Theft I, Theft II, and Assault IV.

The victim and multiple witnesses all described Deatherage as behaving in an erratic manner.  When police contacted Deatherage, they also noticed several signs of impairment consistent with someone who is under the influence of drugs.

There is no indication that the suspect and victim were known to one another.

APD Case 23-28711

Anchorage Police are grateful to all the people who responded to the victim’s call for help and who stayed at the scene to provide statements to police.  Officers are also thankful for the driver who saw the Jeep being driven dangerously and contacted authorities immediately.

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.