This phase was all about Hansen’s possessions. The places (and things) where troopers were most likely to find him. But then there is something else. The obsessions.
Two sentences was all it got. Ten words, almost casually dropped. Ending with, “Reports to follow.” (Click for sample) These are among the most tantalizing words in Flothe’s narrative. What’s in those reports? We hang on edge.
Meanwhile, Flothe and Haugsven were chasing locations with a car and a camera. They were on the Hansen loop, a scarily compact circuit, documenting Robert Hansen’s haunts and his possessions. They found the things of middle class life in Alaska — even the airplane, it turns out — in a State with the highest per capita airplane ownership in the United States.
9-16-83: HANSEN residence photographed by Sergeant Flothe and Sergeant Haugsven. Residence accurate in location and description to PAULSEN statement.
Iowa advises of HANSEN’s 1961 Arson conviction. Reports to follow.
Source: Sequence of Events Leading to Arrest of Robert C. Hansen, 1/31/84, Sgt. Glenn Flothe (“Ruff Copy”)
More details were found in Sgt. Flothe’s affidavit. No question, they were on the hunt, in what can be described as the “down and dirty” phase.
“On September 16, 1983, affiant drove to 7223 Old Harbor Street in Anchorage, and took photographs of the residence at the address from the street. Copies of these photographs are attached hereto and incorporated as Exhibit #2.
Hansen’s House, Old Harbor Road (copyright Leland E. Hale)
“On September 16, 1983, affiant drove to Merrill Field, Anchorage, and took several photographs of a blue and white Super Cub aircraft with tail number N3089Z, and a gold Chevrolet pickup, Alaska license number 0757BN. Copies of these photographs are attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit #3.
Robert Hansen’s Super Cub (Anchorage Times)
“On September 16, 1983, affiant drove to the vicinity of 828 East 9th Avenue in Anchorage, and took an exterior photograph of Hansen’s bakery. A copy of this photograph is attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit #4.”
Former Site of Hansen’s Bakery — 9th Avenue View (Google Streetview; illustration, Leland E. Hale)
Source: Affidavit for Search Warrant of Robert Hansen’s Property, Sgt. Glenn Flothe, Alaska State Troopers
Purchase Butcher, Baker