Vigilant citizens in Trapper Creek and staff at the Three Bears helped stall a burglary suspect until Alaska State Troopers arrived in the area.
Malachi Cohen is accused of burglarizing a cabin on Shulin Lake. Cohen’s vehicle became stuck in the mud near the cabin. A neighbor who helped pull the vehicle out became suspicious when Cohen said his uncle owned the cabin. That neighbor snapped a picture of Cohen and posted it to Facebook.
Other residents who saw the social media post immediately realized Cohen did not belong in the area. The incident was reported to Troopers as a burglary in progress on Tuesday.
It was the next day when Cohen appeared at the Three Bears in Trapper Creek. Staff recognized him from the photo and reported it to Troopers. They worked together to stall him so Troopers could respond. He left just before they arrived. But he was stopped and arrested on Devonshire Drive in Trapper Creek.
Most of the stolen property has been recovered. Cohen is facing felony charges of burglary and theft. He faces a Grand Jury on October 30th. There was a second person in the vehicle who may also face charges. Information on that individual will be released after the Grandy Jury hearing if they are indicted. Cohen is listed as a person of interest in other property crimes in the Valley.
