From Kyle Hopkins in Anchorage –

The first time police tried to stop the mystery motorcyclist, he gunned his blue-and-silver Yamaha to 125 mph on the Glenn Highway. The second time police spotted him, the man sped the wrong way on Gambell Street to escape arrest. (Police believe the bike is stolen.)

And the shoplifter? Smacked a JC Penney security guard with a backpack when she tried to stop him from stealing clothes, police say.

APD today is asking for your help catching these two. Here are the two announcements from the police department, beginning with the motorcyclist. Find a picture and description of the shoplifter, accused in an unrelated case, after the jump:

Seen someone riding a motorcycle like this, going way to fast? Police are looking for him.

Subject – Police Seek Reckless Motorcyclist

Anchorage Police Department Officers are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the driver of a motorcycle who recklessly eluded police on 7-17-11.
On 7-17-11 at 0825 hours Anchorage Police Officer Palmatier saw the blue and silver Yamaha YZF-R1 inbound on the Glenn Highway near the Birchwood Exit carrying a rear seat passenger and travelling in excess of 100 MPH. Ofc. Patzke set up at the weigh scales and activated his emergency lights hoping to slow the driver down but instead the driver sped up to 125 MPH and continued inbound.
The officers did not pursue the motorcycle because of the danger such a pursuit would present to the motorcyclist, passenger and other drivers on the road.
The bike was seen a few minutes later by Officer Burton at 5th Avenue and Karluk Street and when he tried to stop it, the driver eluded him going the wrong way on Gambell Street. The motorcycle is believed to be a stolen vehicle.
The driver of the motorcycle is a white male adult who wears a silver helmet with a “Mohawk” ornamentation down the middle of the helmet, and a black leather jacket. The passenger wore a red helmet with a black leather jacket.
Anyone with information which might assist in this investigation should contact Ofc. Palmatier at 786-8771.

….

And the alleged shoplifter:

Courtesy of Anchorage Police Department.

Anchorage Police need your help in identifying a man whose shoplifting spree ended up in a robbery and assault.
On Thursday, March 31, 2011, at about 6:45 p.m., the man pictured here was observed stealing multiple clothing items from JC Penneys in downtown Anchorage. As a female security guard tried to take him into custody, the man swung a backpack at her, knocking her to the ground, then pushed her down a second time as she tried to get up. He then fled the mall into the 5th Avenue Parking Garage.
The suspect appears to be an Asian Male in his 20's, about 5'8" tall, weighing about 180 pounds. He has short hair and was wearing black, horn-rimmed prescription glasses.
If you have information as to the identity of this person, call Crime Stoppers at 561-STOP. You can also submit your tip online at the secure website: www.anchoragecrimestoppers.com.