Fox homeowner trades gunfire with copper thieves on Old Steese Highway

Two suspects fired on a homeowner during a pre-dawn burglary on Old Steese Highway in Fox on Sunday, June 28, after the homeowner went to investigate while the suspects were stealing copper, fuel, and other items from the property.

Alaska State Troopers received the call at approximately 5 a.m. The homeowner returned fire. The suspects fled, and troopers reported no apparent injuries on either side. D Detachment is investigating under case number AK26061193.

Fox is an unincorporated community north of Fairbanks. Alaska State Troopers provide all law enforcement coverage there.

Alaska State Troopers handled more than 135,000 calls for service in FY2024, according to the state Office of Management and Budget, covering a geographic area larger than most countries with a finite number of officers. Commissioner James Cockrell, speaking at the 2026 Alaska Police Memorial Day Ceremony five days before this incident, described the scale directly: "Our officers, troopers, DPSOs, investigators, correctional professionals, and dispatchers work across the landscape larger than most countries. They respond in darkness, in storms, across mountains, tundras, and coastline." The source does not establish what response times were in this specific case.

The investigation remains open. Anyone with information can contact Alaska State Troopers D Detachment or the Department of Public Safety dispatch line at 1-877-258-7667.