Fairbanks chiropractor arrested for vehicle theft and criminal mischief

Aaron Shoemaker, 36, allegedly stole a piece of heavy equipment and began driving it along the Richardson Highway. During the incident, Shoemaker posted photos of his actions on the Facebook page for his chiropractic practice.

According to Alaska State Troopers, Shoemaker was arrested after he was found in a dumpster. AST found the abandoned compacter stuck in the mud near a pond. Shoemaker was taken to Fairbanks Correctional Center and charged with vehicle theft in the first degree and criminal mischief in the first degree.

Shoemaker, the sole chiropractor at Advanced Chiropractic in Fairbanks, had been posting cryptic messages on his businesses Facebook page in the days leading up to the incident.

Alaska State Trooper Barry Cebulski said that he couldn’t speak to any type of impairment, but did say there was something causing some sort of imbalance and that it is probably safe to say that was not the way he normally behaves. Cebulski said that anyone who suspects a loved one may be dealing with mental, substance or health issues should seek help before law enforcement needs to be involved.

“Waiting until the last minute to where it’s now a law enforcement specific issue that could have been avoided, our preference is for it to be handled by the family to reach out to one of those local resources.” Cebulski said.

He said there is help available from places like the

and

. He added that even if someone can’t think of who to call, they can call the Troopers who can send them in the right direction.

Cebulski also encouraged anyone who is dealing with their own mental health issues to reach out for help.