JUNEAU POLICE DEPARTMENT
6255 ALAWAY AVENUE JUNEAU, ALASKA 99801
Business (907) 586-0600
Fax (907) 463-4808
Integrity, Courage, Service, Respect
INFORMATION RELEASE
Date: 2014-10-20
From: Lt. Kris Sell
Case or Incident: #141020-004
INFORMATION RELEASE
Subject: Warrant Arrest/ Hit and Run/ Drug Charge Date: 10-20-14
From: Lt. Kris Sell Case or Incident: 141020-004
Summary:
On October 20th, 2014 at about 1049 hours, a Juneau Police Department officer saw a vehicle being driven by 42 year old Jose Angel Munoz, a man with a $10,000 warrant on a prior charge of felony DWI and misconduct involving drugs in the 4th degree. That warrant had been out since September 26, 2014 and officers had been unable to find Munoz.
The officer who saw Munoz attempted a traffic stop near Juneau Douglas High School. Munoz fled the stop. After following about a block the officer slowed down and created about two blocks of space between him and Munoz to try and keep Munoz from driving recklessly in a residential and school area. Munoz turned up into the Highlands neighborhood and the officer lost sight of him.
Another JPD officer joined in the search for Munoz. Munoz was next seen by that second officer as Munoz was coming down Behrends Avenue at a high rate of speed and failed to negotiate a left turn onto Glacier Avenue. Munoz was struck by a car that had the right of way. Munoz fled the collision on foot but was caught by the second officer, also on foot, and held at taser point. Munoz surrendered to that officer.
The driver of the car in the collision with Munoz was an 82 year old Douglas woman. She was transported to Bartlett Hospital as a precautionary measure. She was later found to be uninjured. She did ask the case officer who came to check on her at the hospital if she had helped to catch the suspect. She was assured by the officer that she had.
Munoz now faces five new charges in addition to those that led to the warrant. Munoz was found in possession of narcotics and was charged with misconduct involving drugs in the third degree (B felony), failure to stop at the direction of a peace officer (C felony), failure to render aid (C felony) and two A misdemeanors, reckless driving, and driving without a valid license.
Munoz was lodged at the Lemon Creek Correctional Center.
All factual allegations contained in this release are based upon preliminary investigation and are subject to change or clarification as the investigation continues. Any charges reported in this release are merely accusations and all persons named in this release are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.