The Juneau Police Department arrested a man after a brief chase across a rooftop on Feb. 9, 2021, in connection with a vehicle theft several weeks ago. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

The Juneau Police Department arrested a man after a brief chase across a rooftop on Feb. 9, 2021, in connection with a vehicle theft several weeks ago. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Police arrest man after rooftop chase near airport

The arrest was connected to a vehicle theft several weeks ago.

Juneau Police Department officers arrested a man after he attempted to escape from a second story window while officers were executing a search warrant for stolen property, said a JPD spokesperson.

Jonathan Lee Burns, 38, was arrested Tuesday afternoon on a $5,000 warrant for violating conditions of release, and on charges of first-degree and second-degree theft, resisting or interfering with an officer, criminal trespass, criminal mischief and assault, said JPD Lt. Krag Campbell.

Officers first contacted Burns while attempting to serve a search warrant at an apartment on the 9400 block of Glacier Highway around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Campbell said. JPD had a considerable presence on the scene, Campbell said, which is a standard practice. A large force of officers helps secure the area and lock down potential avenues of escape, the majority of officers are then able to move on once the scene is secured and made safe, Campbell said in an email.

[Man arrested following bomb threat]

“As police knocked on the door of the residence, a male reportedly fled out the back window of the second story apartment. The fleeing male got onto the roof of the building and then entered an adjacent apartment by breaking open the window,” Campbell said in a news release. “The resident of the apartment was home at the time and immediately exited the apartment and contacted police. Police went inside the apartment and located the fleeing male who was hiding within.”

The search warranted related to a vehicle that was stolen from the 2200 block of Trout Street early on the morning of Jan. 26, 2021. The vehicle was located on the 9100 block of Cinema Drive shortly after being stolen, and 30-year-old Veronica Morgan Trapp and 30-year-old Jeremy Michael Olivit were arrested and charged with vehicle theft before being taken to Lemon Creek Correctional Center.

Several items were identified by the owner of the vehicle as still missing, Campbell said, including a revolver, several cordless power tools and a gold tooth. None of the items were recovered at the residence searched Tuesday, Campbell said. No injuries occurred during the arrest.

Know something?

Anyone with information regarding this case, or the location of the stolen property, is encouraged to contact the Juneau Police Department on our business line at (907) 586-0600. Anonymous tips can be made online to Juneau Crime Line.

• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at (757) 621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.

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