On Sunday, while a trooper with the Dillingham attachment was on a routine patrol on the streets of Dillingham, a fifteen-year -old teenager stepped into the roadway in front of the troopers moving vehicle.

The trooper stopped his vehicle and contacted the juvenile, who was uncooperative. When the trooper attempted to gather information on the youth, the youth swung at him.

A struggle broke out between the youth and the trooper as the youth continued to punch and spit on the trooper. The juvenile was taken under control with minimal injuries. The trooper was unhurt according to the report. The youth was arrested.

The trooper put the juvenile into the patrol vehicle and began his transport to the Dillingham Police Department. On the way to the station, the juvenile produced a small lighter from his person and set the back seat of the vehicle on fire.

The trooper removed the youth from the vehicle and successfully extinguished the fire before continuing the transport. The vehicle suffered moderate damage.

The Dillingham troopers notified Juvenile Justice as well as the Office of Children’s Services.

The juvenile was transported to Anchorage.

Charges of Arson I, Criminal Mischief III, Assault on a Police Officer, and Harassment are being pursued against the youth.