Principle, Alcohol Lead to Court Dates

by Dave Lieben

'Twasn't the money but the principle that led to citizen arrests for some residents and visitors lately. The alcohol didn't help, either.

$5 led to a trip to the Ketchikan Correctional Center for 21-year-old William T. Damiter and 23-year-old Russell W. Doll recently. Both gave their address as the Coast Guard vessel Anacopa.

Pioneer Bar bartender Melissa Curran signed Citizens Arrest forms against the two on October 4 on charges of Criminal Trespass. Police Officer W.D. Waldren reports that he responded to a call at the Pioneer Bar to find the two suspects arguing with several other people in the bar. Curran told Waldren they had threatened several people in the bar, and when she repeatedly asked them to leave they had threatened her.

The suspects ignored Officer Waldren when he asked them to stop as they were leaving. He stopped them on the sidewalk, where Doll said he had won a $10 bet on a pool game, but the person had only given him $5. Doll said he was determined not to leave until he got the other $5. Waldren reported the two had a strong odor of intoxicants on their breath, as well as bloodshot and watery eyes. The duo was scheduled to be released on their own recognizance.

A $3.35 spoon set led to trouble for 42-year-old Gregory S. Huley, who gave his address as the homeless shelter. A store employee saw him allegedly put something in his pocket, Huley told police he didn't know why he took it, and offered to pay for it. He was said to have had an odor of intoxicants on his breath, as well as slurred speech, bloodshot, watery eyes and poor balance. He was also charged with violating his condition of release, which specified no alcohol. An employee of Alaskan & Proud Market signed the citizens arrest form, leading to an October 11 court date for Huley.

A 10¢ jacket led to an October 8th court date for 49-year-old Donald Peterson. He is accused of taking the blue nylon jacket from a rack in front of the Salvation Army on Stedman Street on October 2. The jacket was valued at $1, but was marked down. Peterson told police he thought it was free. He was said to have had a strong odor of intoxicants on his breath, as well as, you guessed it, bloodshot, watery eyes and poor balance. Salvation Army store clerk Connie Flanagan completed the citizens arrest form, saying it wasn't the value of the item but the principle.