Suspect charged with multiple felonies connected to Willow burglaries

Alaska State Troopers have arrested and charged a Caswell man with a dozen crimes related to recent thefts in the area.

Troopers arrested Ian Lleshi on Monday afternoon and charged him with crimes ranging from first-degree burglary and vehicle theft to criminal mischief. Troopers say Lleshi was in possession of items stolen in three different theft incidents over the previous month in the Willow area.

Troopers believe Lleshi was the driver of a gray pickup that led a patrol vehicle on a chase near Mile 63 of the Parks Highway earlier this month. The driver in that incident was able to escape by jumping from the moving vehicle and running into the woods. Despite the use of dogs, ground teams, and a helicopter, Troopers were not able to locate him.