Thinkstock

Thinkstock

Suspect identified in Subway break-in, flees from victim and cops

A Juneau man with multiple larcenies on his record is the suspect in two break-ins Thursday night and is being sought by the Juneau Police Department after he fled from his van Friday morning.

Wade Bryson, who owns both Subways in Juneau, said the opener for the Mendenhall Valley store called him at 5:45 a.m. Friday because someone had broken into through the drive-thru.

“He actually broke the window to get in,” Bryson said, adding that the thief took a 250-pound safe that was concealed under a counter.

“He dragged it out,” Bryson said. “It weighs so much, I never worried about it before.”

After JPD arrived, Bryson reviewed surveillance video and said the police officer recognized the suspect immediately as Dakota Gallant. Gallant, 27, has an extensive criminal history and recently was charged with first-degree vehicle theft in connection with a Feb. 10 arrest. He was arrested in mid-July on four outstanding warrants but subsequently bonded out of Lemon Creek Correctional Center.

JPD Lt. David Campbell would not confirm that the suspect was Gallant, identifying the suspect only as a 27-year-old man.

According to Bryson, his employee also recognized Gallant, who has a distinctive neck tattoo, and knew that he had been living in an abandoned van at the Dragon Inn on Glacier Highway. Bryson followed a JPD officer to the parking lot of the restaurant and saw the van with Gallant inside.

“I made eye contact with him,” Bryson said. “He was trying to cover something up, he was dumping blankets out and trying to cover up (the safe).”

Gallant then took off running into the woods, Bryson said.

Campbell confirmed that the suspect had fled and that he is being sought as part of an ongoing investigation; his vehicle was impounded.

The store owner believes that Gallant targeted him in retaliation for an incident a month ago, when he was kicked out of the downtown Subway.

Luckily, Bryson noted, he empties the safe daily and it had very little cash inside.

A 27-year-old man is the suspect in another burglary that night, at a business in the 2200 block of Jordan Avenue. Campbell would not confirm if it was Gallant, however.

The burglary was reported just before 9 a.m. Friday, with the suspect stealing a camera valued at $200. The suspect has been identified via surveillance video, but has not been arrested as of Friday afternoon.


• Contact reporter Liz Kellar at 523-2246 or liz.kellar@juneauempire.com.


More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Dec. 22

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

The U.S. Capitol in Washington, Dec. 18, 2024. The Senate passed bipartisan legislation early Saturday that would give full Social Security benefits to a group of public sector retirees who currently receive them at a reduced level, sending the bill to President JOE Biden. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)
Congress OKs full Social Security benefits for public sector retirees, including 15,000 in Alaska

Biden expected to sign bill that eliminates government pension offset from benefits.

Pauline Plumb and Penny Saddler carry vegetables grown by fellow gardeners during the 29th Annual Juneau Community Garden Harvest Fair on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Dunleavy says he plans to reestablish state Department of Agriculture via executive order

Demoted to division status after statehood, governor says revival will improve food production policies.

Alan Steffert, a project engineer for the City and Borough of Juneau, explains alternatives considered when assessing infrastructure improvements including utilities upgrades during a meeting to discuss a proposed fee increase Thursday night at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Hike of more than 60% in water rates, 80% in sewer over next five years proposed by CBJ utilities

Increase needed due to rates not keeping up with inflation, officials say; Assembly will need to OK plan.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy and President-elect Donald Trump (left) will be working as chief executives at opposite ends of the U.S. next year, a face constructed of rocks on Sandy Beach is seen among snow in November (center), and KINY’s prize patrol van (right) flashes its colors outside the station this summer. (Photos, from left to right, from Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office, Elliot Welch via Juneau Parks and Recreation, and Mark Sabbatini via the Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s 10 strangest news stories of 2024

Governor’s captivating journey to nowhere, woman who won’t leave the beach among those making waves.

Police calls for Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024

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

The U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. Funding for the federal government will lapse at 8:01 p.m. Alaska time on Friday if no deal is reached. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)
A federal government shutdown may begin tonight. Here’s what may happen.

TSA will still screen holiday travelers, military will work without paychecks; food stamps may lapse.

The cover image from Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s “Alaska Priorities For Federal Transition” report. (Office of the Governor)
Loch Ness ducks or ‘vampire grebes’? Alaska governor report for Trump comes with AI hallucinations

A ChatGPT-generated image of Alaska included some strange-looking waterfowl.

Bartlett Regional Hospital, along with Juneau’s police and fire departments, are partnering in a new behavioral health crisis response program announced Thursday. (Bartlett Regional Hospital photo)
New local behavioral health crisis program using hospital, fire and police officials debuts

Mobile crisis team of responders forms five months after hospital ends crisis stabilization program.

Most Read