A man suspected of holding up a downtown liquor store Monday night was in custody just 12 hours later, thanks to social media and a tip from the community.
The robbery suspect — identified as David Gene Hamilton, 35, of Juneau — also has been linked to the June 12 robbery of the Liquor Barrel store in Lemon Creek.
Hamilton was arraigned in Juneau District Court Wednesday afternoon and pleaded not guilty to counts of first-degree robbery and third-degree theft in each incident.
Judge Kirsten Swanson set bail at $30,000 cash performance and noted that Hamilton is facing a Class A felony with prior felony convictions that could net him eight to 12 years in prison.
A preliminary hearing into the evidence was set for Aug. 11.
Hamilton reportedly robbed Kenny’s Liquor, located at 619 Willoughby Ave., at approximately 8:55 p.m. Monday, Juneau Police Department spokesman Lt. David Campbell said in a press release.
In a 911 call, an employee reported that the man demanded money from the register, took an undisclosed amount of cash and fled on foot. According to the criminal complaint, the suspect displayed what the store clerk believed was the handle of a gun, while the object was in his pocket. She told JPD officer she gave the man about $700 in cash from the till.
The man was described as a white man, approximately 6 feet tall, medium build, and wearing a baseball cap.
JPD officers arrived within minutes and searched the area, but the suspect was not located.
According to the complaint, a person who recognized Hamilton from a Facebook post of the surveillance video called JPD Tuesday morning, then called back about a half-hour later to report Hamilton had been seen driving toward Home Depot.
The witness reportedly followed Hamilton and told him to turn himself in; Hamilton said the robbery was an act of desperation and was stupid, but denied having a gun on him, according to the charging documents.
Hamilton was subsequently detained by JPD officers.
“I would credit (the arrest tip), totally, to social media,” Campbell said Wednesday.
“The caller had seen the suspect’s vehicle on Commercial Boulevard near Costco,” Campbell said. “We flooded the area and found (him).”
Campbell noted that Juneau is a small town to begin with, which helps in identifying suspects, adding, “When you turn to social media, it definitely makes it smaller.”
During a search of Hamilton’s vehicle, JPD officers reportedly located an Airsoft gun that was the size of a handgun, $90 in cash in his wallet, and clothing consistent with items worn not just during the Kenny’s Liquor robbery, but also in the Liquor Barrel robbery. A can of bear spray consistent with the weapon displayed in the earlier robbery also was found in Hamilton’s SUV.
In the June 12 robbery, Hamilton allegedly pointed a can of pepper spray at the liquor store clerk and demanded money from the till. According to the criminal complaint, the robber told the clerk “to keep calm and he would not hurt him.” The clerk reportedly gave Hamilton $787, which he put in a black bag.
According to Campbell, there are some similarities between the two liquor store robberies and other recent incidents, which are being investigated.
“It’s not uncommon for people to commit more than one crime,” he said. “We are looking to see if we can prove (Hamilton’s) possible involvement in recent crimes in the area. … We’re keeping an open mind.”
Contact reporter Liz Kellar at 523-2246 or liz.kellar@juneauempire.com.
Robbery suspect David Hamilton is arraigned in Juneau District Court on Wednesday. (Liz Kellar | Juneau Empire)
