The suspect in two liquor store robberies has been indicted by a Juneau grand jury on two counts of first-degree robbery and two counts of third-degree theft.
David Gene Hamilton, 35, of Juneau, reportedly robbed the Liquor Barrel in Lemon Creek on June 12 robbery, allegedly pointing a can of pepper spray at the liquor store clerk and demanding 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.
On July 31, police said Hamilton robbed Kenny’s Liquor, located at 619 Willoughby Ave., at approximately 8:55 p.m.
An employee reported that the suspect 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 gave the man about $700 in cash from the till.
A person who recognized Hamilton from a Facebook post of the surveillance video called the Juneau Police Department the next morning, then saw him driving toward Home Depot and followed him.
Hamilton was subsequently detained by JPD officers; a search of his vehicle reportedly uncovered 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.
Hamilton was arraigned in Juneau District Court Aug. 2 and pleaded not guilty. 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.
Hamilton will next be in Superior Court on Sept. 1; his trial is scheduled for Nov. 6.
Other court proceedings
• Koby Blake, 26, was indicted by the grand jury on one count of first-degree vehicle theft in connection with an Aug. 2 arrest. JPD had responded to a 911 call from a 37-year-old man that his blue 2003 Subaru Forester had been stolen from the parking lot of the Valley Breeze-in. The vehicle was located by a JPD officer less than two hours later. He will be in Superior Court today for a bail hearing.
• Brandon L. Bowhay, 36, pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree burglary on a dwelling in connection with a March 7 arrest; he was sentenced to three years in prison, 18 months suspended, and three years probation.
• Jerramy S. McNeil, 38, was indicted by the grand jury on two counts of second-degree theft in connection with a Jan. 15 incident.
• Mark Edward Shilling, 31, pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary and was sentenced to 24 months in prison, 18 months suspended, and two years probation.
• Contact reporter Liz Kellar at 523-2246 or liz.kellar@juneauempire.com.
