JUNEAU POLICE DEPARTMENT
6255 ALAWAY AVENUE JUNEAU, ALASKA 99801
Business (907) 586-0600
Fax (907) 463-4808
Integrity, Courage, Service, Respect
INFORMATION RELEASE
Date: 2024-12-21
From: Deputy Chief Krag Campbell
Case or Incident: #2024-12190045
On 11/27/2024, at about 6:28 P.M., JPD received a report of a vehicle hit-and-run off Honsinger Dr. JPD responded to the area and met with the complainant, but the other vehicle involved in the collision had already left and wasn't located. The complainant told police that before the collision, he was standing outside his vehicle when the driver of a black van started making unusual statements towards him. The driver then got into the van and backed into the complainant's vehicle. The complainant estimated the was traveling about 15 MPH before the collision. The complainant was able to get inside his vehicle before the collision and was unharmed. The complainant's vehicle sustained damages to its front end.
On 12/19/2024, at about 6:33 P.M., JPD received a report that the black van was parked in a parking lot in the 3000 block of Vintage Blvd. JPD responded and located the van. Shortly afterward, the van started driving away from the area. JPD followed and observed the vehicle make multiple traffic violations and then almost hit a vehicle head-on. JPD attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, but it wouldn't stop. Eventually, the vehicle turned down a cul-de-sac on a dead-end street and stopped. The responding officer started approaching the van, but then the van accelerated and drove at the officer. The van struck the driver-side door of the patrol car and the officer's leg, causing the door to pin the officer against the vehicle. The van continued on and left the area.
Additional officers responded to the area and followed the van. The van continued driving until it pulled into the driveway of a residence in the 6500 block of Glacier Highway. Officers contacted the driver without further incident. The driver was identified as 33-year-old Joseph Arthur Pipenur.
Pipenur was placed under arrest on the following charges and taken to the jail.
- Assault in the 2nd degree
- Fail to stop in the 1st degree
- Assault in the 3rd degree
- Immediate notice of an accident
- Driving without a License
The officer who was struck during this incident sustained minor injuries and was treated at the hospital.
All factual allegations contained in this release are based upon preliminary investigation and are subject to change or clarification as the investigation continues. Any charges reported in this release are merely accusations and all persons named in this release are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.