Wells Fargo Bank at the corner of Second and Seward Streets in downtown Juneau on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Wells Fargo Bank at the corner of Second and Seward Streets in downtown Juneau on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Police identify bank robbery suspect

David Glenn Waits was found at transit center nearby, money still missing

Police have identified the Juneau man who’s in custody after allegedly attempting to rob the downtown Wells Fargo bank, according to a Juneau Police Department press release.

David Glenn Waits, a 54-year-old Juneau resident, was taken to Lemon Creek Correctional Center on Thursday night and charged with coercion, a class C felony, an updated JPD release stated. Coercion is when someone compels another person to do something through the use of force and threats, according to state statute.

Bank employees told police that Waits walked into the bank on Thursday afternoon and passed one of the tellers a note that demanded $50 and $100 bills. Waits didn’t appear to be armed and never threatened anybody, the release states, but he did appear intoxicated. Employees were confused by his request at first, according to release. When the teller didn’t hand over the money right away, Waits became a little more aggressive, the employees later told police.

The teller eventually gave him a $100 bill and Waits left.

At about 2:40 p.m., employees called 911 to report the robbery, the release states. Officers arrived shortly afterward, looked at the note, got a description of Waits and began searching for him. An officer found Waits at the Downtown Transit Center and detained him.

Police got a search warrant to look through Waits’ clothes, but the $100 bill was not found, according to the release.


• Contact reporter Alex McCarthy at 523-2271 or amccarthy@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @akmccarthy.


David Glenn Waits. (Courtesy Photo | Juneau Police Department)

David Glenn Waits. (Courtesy Photo | Juneau Police Department)

More in News

The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore docks in Juneau in October, 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Ships in Port for the Week of May 28

Here’s what to expect this week.

The City and Borough of Juneau Harbormaster Enforcement vessel drives past the Dusky Rock which sits at Aurora Harbor. The vessel was towed there from Sandy beach Friday evening after three people died within a three-day period aboard the vessel while anchored offshore. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Three people found dead on boat anchored off Sandy Beach

Drug use a possible factor in deaths of one man and two women during three-day span

The Mendenhall Glacier and surrounding area is seen under an overcast sky on May 12. A federal order published Friday bans mineral extraction activities such as mining in an expanded area of land surrounding the glacier for the next 20 years. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Feds expand ban on mineral extraction near Mendenhall Glacier

20-year prohibition on mining, oil drilling applies to newly exposed land as ice continues retreat

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Thursday, June 1, 2023

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

Bulk food in Food Bank of Alaska’s Anchorage warehouse on April 21. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
State roughly halves the number of Alaskans waiting on food aid, but more than 8,000 remain

By Claire Stremple, Alaska Beacon Mary Wood has been waiting for food… Continue reading

A white butterfly rests upon a fern Saturday at Prince of Wales Island. (Courtesy Photo / Marti Crutcher)
Wild Shots

Reader-submitted photos of Mother Nature in Southeast Alaska.

Photos by Lee House / Sitka Conservation Society
Aliyah Merculief focuses on her run while snowboarding at Snow Camp.
Resilient Peoples & Place: Bringing up a new generation of Indigenous snow shredders

“Yak’éi i yaada xwalgeiní” (“it is good to see your face”) reads… Continue reading

A polar bear feeds near a pile of whale bones north of Utqiaġvik. (Courtesy Photo /Ned Rozell)
Alaska Science Forum: Polar bears of the past survived warmth

In a recent paper, scientists wrote that a small population of polar… Continue reading

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Wednesday, May 31, 2023

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

Most Read