Pair arrested after cutting hole in jewelry store roof, say police
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POCATELLO — Two people who allegedly tried to burglarize a Pocatello jewelry store were arrested after cutting a hole through the roof, police said.
Officers responded to Perry Jewelry in the 300 block of Yellowstone to a burglary alarm just after 7 a.m. Saturday.
Pocatello Police spokeswoman Dianne Brush said when officers arrived, a 37-year-old man, later identified as Douglas Johnson, of Pocatello, was on top of the roof.
Johnson had been unable to get off the roof and the Pocatello Fire Department was called in to assist.
Police searched the building and found Erica Hamilton, 19, also of Pocatello, hiding under a desk.
“She entered through the roof. They cut a hole and she slipped through. This is the second time this has happened, exact same spot,” owner David Perry told EastIdahoNews.com.
Perry also said that the couple came in to his store just a few days before, likely to scope out the place.
No items were stolen, but there is significant damage to the building.
Johnson he was arrested on suspicion of burglary, possession of forged documents and resisting arrest. As of Monday, he was being held without bail on several other arrest warrants. Hamilton was charged with burglary and did not have bond set as of Monday.
This is the second recent case of rooftop burglaries in Pocatello. Michael Joseph Lowe was arrested in December for similar alleged crimes. Authorities tell EastIdahoNews.com the incidents are unrelated.