At approximately 5:15 am on Thursday, “a female reported to AST that when she got to work at Cup of Joe Coffee stand on the Parks Highway and Vine Road, a male was in the process of stealing money and other items from the coffee stand,” trooper dispatch reports.

The female caller told troopers that when her huband confronted the burglar, the burglar produced a handgun and pointed it at her husband. The burglar then made good his getaway in a blue Chevy Tahoe, speeding away northbound on the Parks Highway.

Troopers say they made contact with the vehicle a short time later and attempted to make a traffic stop, but the vehicle again sped away as troopers gave chase. But, at approximately mile 66 of the highway, troopers quit the chase as the vehicle continued northbound reaching speeds of 100 miles an hour.

Approximately 1 and 3/4 hours later, at 6:59 am, several calls went in to the troopers reporting an intoxicated man exposing himself alongside the Parks Highway near Nancy Lake Parkway in Wasilla.

When troopers responded to the scene, they would make contact and identify the man as 27-year-old Fairbanks man, Harding Custer. They would positively identify Custer as the man who had burglarized the coffee stand and later eluded troopers. During contact, they were able to recover the money and other items stolen from the coffee shop, but were unable to locate the getaway vehicle.

Custer was arrested and charged with Robbery I, Burglary I, Assault III, Misconduct Involving Weapons III, Eluding I, Theft II, and Reckless Driving. Custer was transported to the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility where he was remanded.

Troopers are asking the public for any information about the missing vehicle, described as a 2009 blue Chevy Tahoe with licence plate FRR796. It is believed to be abandoned in the Willow/Talkeetna area. If spotted, please call troopers at 352-5401.

UPDATE:Troopers reported on Friday that the vehicle had been located in Willow.

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