By SUZANNE DOWNING
Aug. 16, 2026 – A lengthy multi-agency manhunt ended Wednesday when troopers arrested a 44-year-old Alaska man wanted on fraud and escape charges carrying more than $2 million in combined warrants.
Charles R. Yingst was taken into custody Aug. 12 at a residence in Big Lake after investigators determined he was staying there, according to the Alaska State Troopers.
A Fairbanks-based Criminal Suppression Unit conducted an extended surveillance operation before making the arrest. Palmer-based troopers and members of the US Marshals Service provided immediate assistance, allowing authorities to arrest Yingst without incident.
Yingst had reportedly been missing since July, when he cut off an electronic ankle monitor and fled house arrest in North Pole. He was wanted on multiple warrants connected to several fraud and escape cases.
The combined value of the warrants is unusually large, reflecting the number and seriousness of the pending cases.
Yingst has a lengthy history of allegations involving theft and fraudulent business transactions.
In 2018, a Palmer grand jury indicted him in an alleged scheme involving at least 17 victims and approximately $340,000. Additional people later came forward, bringing the alleged losses reported at the time to more than $482,000.
Investigators said Yingst would allegedly offer to obtain vehicles, heavy equipment, engines or repair services and collect cash or cashier’s checks from customers.
When the promised equipment failed to arrive, Yingst allegedly gave customers explanations involving shipping problems or other delays. Troopers said in 2018 that he had previously faced theft and scheme-to-defraud charges in Fairbanks in 2008 and Palmer in 2012.
The latest arrest followed weeks of investigative work after Yingst allegedly removed his monitoring device and disappeared. Troopers did not disclose how investigators traced him to the Big Lake residence.
Yingst remained in custody Sunday at the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility in Palmer.
3 thoughts on “$2 million fugitive captured in Big Lake after cutting off ankle monitor”
I am a Seward resident and was hearing about the incident with Leslie and Condopolous. I am so happy that Bob set her up and found where the signs went. This goes to show how the lefties are losing it even here in Seward! So sneaky and trying to pull another past one for their own personal gain! She, ms. Leslie needs to be accountable for her actions! She should be charged with theft, and it might teach her a lesson. These are the type of things that tear up our small town!! And we do not need them! The truth will come out about Mary eventually!
Alaska court employees are no less stupid than elected and appointed leaders
He should been kept in jail, he has no responsibility nor personal accountability
I bet they just let him pot because one he is brown skinned a d two he can BS to give the impression on others he is someone he’s not.
History shows he was not the best candidate for an ankle monitor which requires a person to have personal accountability and responsibility.
A fresh serving of word salad always hits the spot.