At 7:04 PM on December 8, 2021, a red 2008 Toyota Prius was reported as stolen to APD. The unlocked vehicle was unoccupied and running with the keys inside in front of a residence on the 3000-block of Turnagain Street when it was taken.

At 8:48 PM on December 9th, a swing shift patrol officer was handling a vehicle collision at E 6th Avenue and Pine Street when a red Prius drove past at a high rate of speed, blowing through the stop sign at the intersection.  As the officer was in the process of catching up to the Prius, the officer witnessed the Prius’ driver run a red light at the Pine Street and Debarr Road intersection.  The officer initiated a traffic stop by activating his vehicle’s emergency lights and siren.  The suspect driver accelerated, and the officer disengaged due to the suspect’s dangerous driving behavior.

A few minutes later, at 8:52 PM, Dispatch advised a collision had just occurred at Boniface Parkway and Debarr Road.  One of the vehicles reported to be involved was a red Prius.  The caller gave Dispatch the Prius’ license plate; a computer check confirmed it was the same vehicle that had been reported as stolen the day before. When officers arrived at the scene, other citizens involved in the crash pointed out an adult female standing in front of the wrecked red Prius.  They stated she had been the at-fault driver in the collision.  21-year-old Wendelynn E. Blevins was taken into custody and transported to the Anchorage Police Department for questioning by Detectives.

With permission from the Prius’ owner, the stolen Prius was processed for evidence; drugs were found inside.  Tests will confirm the type of drug that was seized.

After the completion of the interview, Blevins was remanded at Hiland Correctional for the charges of Fail to Stop I, Reckless Driving, three counts of Violate Conditions of Release, Vehicle Theft I, Theft II, Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance V, three counts of Criminal Mischief III, and Leaving the Scene of an Accident.  She was additionally cited for Failure to Obey a Stop Sign, Speeding, Fail to Stop for a Steady Red Signal, Fail to Obey a Traffic Citation, and Driving Without Proof of Insurance.

The other people involved in the collision were not injured.

APD Cases 21-39800, 21-39928, and 21-39931