Man accused of assault during roadway encounter, in which female officer was choked, punched, and bit

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Officers scuffle with agitated man in downtown Anchorage on July 29. Screenshot from social media video, user unknown.

A male officer came to the rescue of a female officer in Anchorage on July 29, after an agitated man, lying in the roadway, started attacking and choking the female officer.

The incident took place at 4:45 p.m. near 5th Avenue and L Street. A male police officer on duty saw the agitated man lying in the road. At the same time, Anchorage Police Department Dispatch was getting a call about the man.

The male officer attempted to convince the man, 22-year-old James D. Lestenkof, that he needed to step out of the roadway, but to no avail. The officer reached for the man’s arm to detain him. About that time, the female officer had arrived to help. Lestenkof grabbed her and took her to the ground.

During the fight, which involved both officers, Lestenkof was recorded choking, repeatedly punching, and biting the female officer. The male officer was able to pry Lestenkof’s arm from the female officer’s neck, and then deployed his taser on the violent man, so the female officer could free herself and place Lestenkof in handcuffs.

The female officer was treated at a local hospital for her injuries.

The image above was sent to Must Read Alaska as a screenshot from a video of the fight, as posted on social media, user unknown.

Lestenkof was remanded at the Anchorage Correctional Complex on the charges of Assault in the Second Degree, Assault in the Third Degree, Assault in the Fourth Degree, Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, and Resisting.

“Detectives are aware they have not spoken to all citizens who witnessed the assault.  APD is asking anyone who either saw the crime being committed against the officer, or who have any type of electronic footage of it, to please contact Anchorage Police at 3-1-1 (option #1) or 907-786-8900 (press “0”) so their statement may be taken and/or the evidence may be collected,” the Anchorage Police Department said. If you are the owner of the video referenced above, consider helping police with their investigation by providing the video.

24 COMMENTS

  1. Crime is about to explode with the socialist mayor and assembly. If you voted for them, please stay in Anchorage.

  2. White male, veteran – 20-30 years in prison.
    Protected minority class – released no cash bond, charges dropped to fulfill DEI mandates – murders a child in a few months.

  3. Weird that the story reads the same if you remove “male” and “female”…wondering why those terms were used to begin with?!? 🤷‍♂️

    • Because it’s heinous and more wrong for a male to attack a female. The author was showing that the perp was depraved more than most.

  4. Willie says it best….Its time for the long arm of the law to put a few more in the ground…..just saying!!!!

  5. Good job, lazy conservatives that let this shite happen because …Well what’s the point in voting or participating right?

  6. Prayers to all the police officers that are out there doing a job that most people wouldn’t do. Thank you.

  7. Yeah wait till they start screaming to defund the police over “brutality” for using the stun gun

  8. But did we vote for them? Did we vote for LeFrance? Last I heard, we are no longer able to observe the city clerk “counting” our votes. And it’s not who votes that counts, it’s who counts the votes, amiright?!?

  9. Why would a man be lying in the road? Hmmmm…..drunk, drugs, withdrawals, PTSD, mental illness ? I’m sorry an officer was hurt …but common sense would tell you to be prepared before approaching , and I don’t mean using lethal force !!!

    • You are absolutely right.
      He could have been a victim of heart disease.
      Maybe they should have barricaded until EMT personnel could have responded first.
      At least they would have been on the scene if someone would have been choked to death or stabbed in the throat or maybe even shot in the face.
      It must be rewarding responding to a scene thinking you can save someone’s life… or sacrificing your own.

  10. Almost have to be mentally off to be a police officer any more. Who in hell would want the job. 1 thing goes wrong the mayor and council will throw you under the bus.

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