Police Tuesday afternoon arrested a man with an outstanding $50,000 warrant following a short standoff on Mendenhall Peninsula Road.
Benjamin Devin Parson, 23, was arrested and charged with felony third-degree escape and criminal mischief following the brief standoff, according to a Juneau Police Department news release. Shots were fired, but no one was injured in the incident.
At 12:53 p.m., a Juneau Police Department officer and a homeowner observed a person who appeared to be “squatting” without permission inside the homeowner’s shed in the 1600 block of Mendenhall Peninsula Road, according to police. The alleged squatter was identified as Ben Parson.
Parson had been sought by JPD since June 30, when, during a temporary release from jail, Parson removed his ankle monitor and fled, Juneau Police Department stated in a social media post. Parson was being held for charges related to an incident where he struck another vehicle while fleeing law enforcement officers, according to police. The $50,000 warrant was issued when Parson failed to return. Police blocked the roadway at Mendenhall Peninsula and Engineer’s Cutoff roads for about 50 minutes.
After being told he was under arrest, the suspected squatter grabbed a nearby rifle, according to police. The officer and homeowner moved to safety while the man police identified as Parson refused to come out of the shed.
JPD officers, the department’s crisis negotiation team and Alaska State Troopers responded, as well as Capital City Fire/Rescue personnel for medical support, according to police.
At about 1:30 p.m., a shot was fired from the shed, according to police. Erann Kalwara, public safety manager, told the Empire that police are unsure what the shot was aimed at.
• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at (757) 621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.
