When an Alaska State Trooper pulled alongside a vehicle on the side of the Parks Highway on Sunday to make sure the driver was not having car troubles, the driver fled, leaving behind a 4-year-old child in what turned out to be a stolen vehicle.
The incident occurred just after 1 a.m., according to an online trooper dispatch. The driver initially gave the trooper false information about his identity before fleeing. The trooper called in backup, including K9 Blazer, who helped subdue the man, later identified as 31-year-old Robert Crawley of Wasilla.
Once the real owner of the vehicle was identified, troopers went to the residence where the vehicle was registered, only to find the home had been burglarized. Investigation at the scene revealed evidence that Crawley had been at the home during the burglary.
Crawley was charged with first-degree vehicle theft, second-degree burglary and providing false information. He was also charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child. AST spokeswoman Megan Peters said while it was unclear how Crawley and the child were connected, the child’s presence was not considered suspicious, so kidnapping charges would not likely be filed in the case.
Crawley also had an outstanding warrant for no bail parole for 12 charges of first- and second-degree vehicle theft for an unrelated case, troopers said. He is being held without bail at the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility.
