On February 11, 2024, a 2008 silver Toyota Highlander was stolen from a residence on E 47th Court’s 2300-block. The car was unlocked with the keys inside. The next day, a citizen reported a stolen rear license plate from their gray 2018 Toyota Highlander. The car was parked on Dimond Boulevard’s 800-block. The theft likely happened within the last eight hours.
On February 13th, an off-duty officer spotted a Toyota Highlander parked on E Tudor Road’s 2700-block. Two men left the car and entered a restaurant to meet a third man. The officer, observing the men’s unusual behavior, decided to check further.
The officer identified one man as Aaron G. Drake, 31. A computer check showed that the Highlander’s license plate was reported stolen the day before. When backup arrived, all three men were detained. The Toyota Highlander was found to be the one reported stolen two days earlier.
After an interview at the Anchorage Police Department, Aaron Drake was charged with Theft II, Vehicle Theft I, and two counts of Violating Conditions of Release. He was held at the Anchorage Correctional Complex. The other two men were not charged.