The Best Western Country Lane Inn was burglarized.

The Best Western Country Lane Inn was burglarized.

Police seek person of interest after theft at Best Western

The Juneau Police Department has named a 20-year-old Juneau man as a person of interest following an early morning theft Tuesday at the Best Western Country Lane Inn in the Mendenhall Valley.

Police say Keith Joseph Nelson Jr., 20, matches the description of a man seen on the hotel’s surveillance footage hanging out in the hotel lobby around 1:14 a.m. before going behind the counter and allegedly taking an undisclosed amount of money from a cash drawer.

JPD spokesman Lt. David Campbell said in a phone interview Tuesday that only one employee, a 28-year-old Juneau woman, appeared to be working in the lobby when the theft reportedly took place. She told police that she tried to tell the suspect to leave, but when he walked behind the lobby desk, she hid in a back office and called for help. Campbell said she was not harmed and it appears the suspect did have a weapon.

Police were unable to locate the suspect and the employee said she did not see in which direction he fled the area, Campbell said. The woman described the suspect as a 6-foot-1-inch tall Alaska Native man between 17 and 25 years of age, with a slim build and medium-length dark hair. He was seen wearing blue jeans and a long sleeve green shirt with the logo name “Carhartt” down one sleeve.

“She had seen him around previously but didn’t know his name,” Campbell said. He added that when the employee was shown a picture of JPD’s person of interest, Neslon, she said they appeared to be the same person.

Nelson is described by police as a 20-year-old Alaska Native male, 6’1” tall, 175 pounds, with black hair. There is an outstanding $20,000 Alaska State Trooper warrant for Nelson’s arrest for a probations violation on an original charge of two counts of burglary in the second degree, according to the JPD press release. Police are asking anyone with knowledge of Nelson’s whereabouts to contact JPD at 586-0600.

Read more news:

Hunting guide involved in bear mauling is well-known state bear researcher

City to help with mobile home down payments

Rescue team finds hiker’s body after four-day search

The frame from the Best Western Country Lane Inn's surveillance footage shows a man police say stole an undisclosed amount of money from the hotel's cash drawer.

The frame from the Best Western Country Lane Inn’s surveillance footage shows a man police say stole an undisclosed amount of money from the hotel’s cash drawer.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Nov. 10

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

A map shows Alaska had the largest increase in drug overdose deaths among the five states reporting increases during the 12-month period ending in June. Overdoses nationally declined for a second straight year. (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention map)
Drug overdose deaths in Alaska jump 38.68% in a year as nationwide rate drops 14%

National experts see hope in second annual decline as Alaska officials worry about ongoing crisis.

Students arrive at Thunder Mountain Middle School on the first day of school Thursday, Aug. 15. The school now houses all students in grades 7-8, who were in two middle schools last year, and the students at Thunder Mountain last year when it was a high school have been consolidated into Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
Report: 11 high school fights during first quarter of school year, up from 3 each of past two years

Consolidation seen as possible factor; middle school incidents more typical compared to recent years

People gather outside Resurrection Lutheran Church as it hosts its weekly food pantry on Tuesday afternoon. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Resurrection Lutheran Church leadership dispute intensifies with accusations of assault, theft, sabotage

Pastor removed, lawsuit lingers as competing groups try to continue worship services, food pantry.

Nick Begich, center, the Republican candidate for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat, talks with supporters during a meet-and-greet Oct. 12 at the Southeast Alaska Real Estate office near the Nugget Mall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Updated vote counts show Begich, repeal of ranked choice voting likely to prevail

Most ballots uncounted on Election Day have now been tallied, with final results due Nov. 20.

Letters of support are posted to the window of the Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, following a shooting incident on Monday, Nov. 11 at 5:45 a.m. in Homer. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Man arrested for three shooting incidents at reproductive clinic, recovery organization in Homer

Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic was targeted twice Monday, suspect cites “religious beliefs.”

A sign welcomes visitors to Hoonah on Aug. 7, 2021 just outside the Icy Strait cruise ship port. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
State commission approves new Xunaa Borough government in northern Southeast Alaska

Area would include Hoonah and much of Glacier Bay National Park, exclude three nearby small towns.

Juneau Assembly Member Ella Adkison (center) helps state Sen. Jesse Kiehl load donated groceries into a van on Saturday during a food drive at Super Bear IGA Supermarket hosted by the Juneau Central Labor Council. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Nonprofits say need is high as collections for annual Thanksgiving events approach

Food bank, other agencies say number of people seeking help is rising due to cost, other factors.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Saturday, Nov. 10, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Most Read