An alleged robber remains behind bars after a man who witnessed the robbery chased and detained the suspected robber until help arrived, police said.
At 5:15 p.m. on Sunday on Front Street, the Juneau Police Department received a report that Michael Hoyt, 38, approached an incapacitated man to steal a cellphone out of his pocket, according to a JPD press release. Several witnesses were nearby and one witness stepped in to stop Hoyt.
The witness — a 45-year-old man from Juneau — caught up with Hoyt and kept him restrained by resting his body completely against Hoyt’s, JPD spokesman Lt. David Campbell told the Empire, noting the witness was shirtless. Police said the man on top of Hoyt was also shirtless, although police did not note why in their reports. Hoyt struggled against the man’s hold just outside the Miner’s Mercantile Mall until police arrived.
Hoyt was treated for injuries at Bartlett Regional Hospital and taken to Lemon Creek Correctional Center. He now faces a second-degree robbery charge. He was arraigned Monday in Juneau District Court for the robbery charge and for three counts of probation violation in three separate cases.
Lt. Campbell said the witness who held Hoyt until police arrived did not report any injuries to police. The man who was allegedly robbed — a 29-year-old — also did not appear to sustain any injuries.
Online court records show Hoyt has an open misdemeanor larceny case from a May 22 incident. He also was previously convicted of criminal trespassing, larceny and disorderly conduct earlier this year.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to include information from an interview with a JPD spokesman.
—
Read more local news:
First lady asks Juneau to join a call to unity against racism
Three Juneau sisters shattered by the violent deaths of their children plan ‘healing’ event
