Alaska State Troopers are currently investigating a break-in and theft at the Kwethluk City office this week after a report came in to the AST on Friday.

It was on Friday the troopers were contacted and informed that the city office in Kwethluk had been broken into and a safe containing approximately $2,000 had been removed. Troopers responded to the village the next day.

The trooper investigation would reveal  that the burglars cut and removed the padlock from the front door of the building to gain entrance. Drag marks on the floor of the building lead troopers to believe that the burglars possibly used a sled to drag the safe containing the cash from the building.

Because of the fresh snowfall in the area, no tracks were discernible outside of the building. Troopers state that they have no suspects at this time, and the safe has yet to be recovered.

AST is asking that anyone with information regarding this incident to call the Bethel State Troopers at 907-543-2294.

A second investigation was begun in the community for a second burglary. That burglary took place at the community’s post office. That investigation was taken over by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which has jurisdiction over post offices. It is unknown if the two incidences are connected. Inspectors would find a footprint and a handprint outside of that building where the burglars gained access through the loading dock.

Kwethluk, with it population of approximately 720 residents, is situated at the point where the Kuskokwim and Kwethluk Rivers join. Kwethluk is about 12 miles east of Bethel.

  burglary, city office, investigation, kwethluk, post office