A 21-year-old Fairbanks man has been arrested and charged with murder in the killing of a 75-year-old woman.
Fairbanks police say they responded to a call at 12:06 a.m. Saturday about a car crashing into a garage door and driving away. Officers checked the nearby apartment and found Carole Jo Romberg dead inside.
Police identified Judson Sherrell as a suspect Saturday afternoon and launched a citywide manhunt. They said he may be driving Romberg’s Subaru Legacy, which had been stolen.
Police said they then got a call on Sunday from U.S. Border Patrol near Haines. Agents said they had detained Sherrell.
Police said investigation revealed that Sherrell had stolen Romberg’s Subaru, driving it through the Canadian border to the Haines border crossing, where the car broke down.
“Sherrell subsequently attempted to cross into Alaska, this time on foot, where he was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol,” according to police.
Fairbanks police detectives traveled to Haines to arrest Sherrell. He’s charged with first-degree murder and first-degree vehicle theft.
Police thanked members of the public who’d provided tips and help to law enforcement officers during the search.
Alaska Public Media reporter Chris Klint contributed information to this story.
Tim Ellis is a reporter at KUAC in Fairbanks.
