An armed man reported for trespassing who made contact with Soldotna Police, Kenai Police, and Alaska State Troopers over multiple incidents on Monday night, was ultimately arrested when he assailed a person, and attempted to steal their car.
Officer Bryan Hahn of the Soldotna Police Department contacted Christopher Stroh, age 38 of Kenai, just before 10pm Monday night to notify him of multiple trespassing complaints levied against him earlier in the night, and deliver instructions not to return to those places of business. Stroh was walking on the bike path along K-Beach Road near the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex.
Upon contact, Stroh – who was described as “highly agitated” – began walking away. At the same time he produced a fillet style knife in one hand, and gestured with his middle finger at Officer Hahn.
With no active crime being committed, Hahn decided not to engage Stroh (who has multiple priors on record) further, deeming his immediate personal safety concerns too great, and the level of the reason for contact too low.
About an hour later, just before 11pm, Soldotna AST received a 911 call from a complaintant, reporting a male had brandished a knife, and was attempting to steal his vehicle as he was leaving a gym on K-Beach Road. The assailant also claimed to be in possession of a handgun. The victim fled the area in his car as the assailant gave chase.
Soldotna Police, Kenai Police, and Alaska State Troopers all responded to the call.
The description provided matched that of Stroh, who was located in a nearby parking lot shortly thereafter by Troopers. Stroh refused to comply with law enforcement commands, and made a statement about “going on the offensive.” After multiple uses of a taser proved ineffective, Troopers were forced to take Stroh to the ground and use pepper spray to subdue him.
AST took Stroh to Central Peninsula Hospital for medical evaluation. Once cleared by medical staff, he was transported to Wildwood Pretrial Facility on charges of Attempted Robbery 1, Attempted Vehicle Theft 1, two charges of Assault 3, and 1 charge of resisting arrest.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing.