Arrest made on pipeline graffiti threats

The 800-mile trans-Alaska pipeline, much of which courses above ground through lonely countryside, occasionally has been the target of vandals.

Most infamous, perhaps, was the 2001 incident in which a man shot the pipeline with a high-powered rifle near Livengood, causing a hole that spewed a large volume of oil.

Now we have more mischief to report, this time near the village of Tazlina.

The Alaska State Troopers said pipeline security on Sept. 25 reported graffiti on the line, including “Car Bomb” and death and sexual threats toward a trooper and his family in the Glennallen area.

Troopers responded to the scene and saw graffiti on six sections of the pipeline, an agency press release said. The graffiti included multiple statements regarding death to law enforcement, and a death list with the names of Glennallen troopers.

A black spray paint lid was found at the scene, the press release said.

Further investigation revealed Ryan Vukson, 29, of Glennallen, had purchased the paint the day prior and was seen the night of the crime with the same color paint on his hands, troopers said.

Vukson was arrested without incident on charges of terroristic threatening, criminal mischief and criminal trespass. He was jailed in Palmer on $30,000 bail.

—Wesley Loy