Last updated at 11:35 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11
The Hilltop Ski Area was shut down Sunday morning while police searched for a suspect who allegedly shot at them, according to an alert from the Anchorage Police Department. In a later release, they said the suspect was one of two possibly involved in a string of burglaries.
The alert was issued at 9:33 a.m. and urged locals to avoid the area, including nearby trails. By 10:35 a.m., both suspects were in custody awaiting charges.
The investigation began around 8:50 a.m. when someone reported a burglary at a home on the 9400 block of Slalom Drive. Additional 911 calls reported vehicle vandalism and sounds of gunfire from other residents in the area.
“As officers were responding they located a suspect vehicle that was heading down Schuss Drive,” APD stated in a Nixle. “As officers came in contact with the vehicle, there were multiple shots fired at officers from the vehicle.”
Police followed the vehicle until it crashed near the Hilltop Ski Area and both suspects fled on foot. Police set up a perimeter and shut down the area.
“Police coordinated with staff at Hilltop Ski to get all employees into the chalet for their safety,” police wrote.
A Hilltop Ski School representative said she could not comment on the matter beyond saying they were in lockdown and closed.
Police described one suspect as a Native man in his 20s or 30s wearing a black jacket with a black and white hoodie. At some point, someone matching that description entered the chalet, and police took him into custody without incident.
Another male who was in the vehicle with the suspect was also taken into custody. Until charges are filed, neither suspect will be identified, police said. The investigation into the burglaries and other crimes is ongoing.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call APD at 907-786-8900.
No one was injured during the chase, police confirmed.
“We appreciate the cooperation of the residents we came in contact with this morning and appreciate their patience as we worked to get the suspects into custody,” police concluded, adding that Hilltop Ski Area would likely soon reopen.
APD Capt. Justin Doll said a patrol car was broken into at some point, and equipment was missing from the vehicle.
KTVA 11’s Eric Ruble contributed to this report.
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