An alert resident who noticed a man coming out of a neighbor’s house Tuesday helped Juneau Police Department officers nab a suspected burglar.
The concerned neighbor called at just after noon, said department spokesperson Erann Kalwara. The caller told police the man came out of a residence in the 9900 block of Stephen Richards Memorial Drive, but the resident was not home and he did not recognize the man. The subject was seen walking out of the residence carrying backpacks and a duffle bag. He had a hood pulled up and something covering his mouth, Kalwara said in a press release.
An officer contacted the suspect in the vicinity of the trailer park within minutes and was able to identify him as Brandon L. Bowhay, 36.
Another officer responded to the residence and observed that the rear door had been forced open and there were shoe prints in the area. The door frame and lock were broken in several areas, creating about $1,000 of damage. The owner responded to the residence and advised the damage to the door was new.
Property within the residence was strewn about and several items were determined to be missing including a pool stick, a shotgun, a rifle and two handguns.
Bowhay was arrested for first-degree burglary, second-degree theft and third-degree criminal mischief and was taken to Lemon Creek Correctional Center. The investigation continues, Kalwara said.
• Contact reporter Liz Kellar at 523-2246 or liz.kellar@juneauempire.com.