A second man was arrested for the alleged burglary of two Kenai businesses this fall.
Jared Hart, 31, of Soldotna, was arrested Wednesday on two counts of burglary in the second-degree, two counts of theft in the second-degree and two counts of criminal mischief in the third-degree. The charges are in connection with the burglary of Lucky Diamond Pull Tabs on Sept. 10, and Kenai Moose Lodge on Oct. 20.
All six charges are class C felonies and if convicted hold a maximum sentence of five years in prison and up to $50,000 fine for each count.
Kenai Police Chief Gus Sandahl said Jared Hart is the brother of Jeremy Hart, 38, arrested on Oct. 28 for the burglaries of the Kenai Arby’s on Sept.1, Lucky Diamond Pull Tabs on Sept. 10, and Kenai Moose Lodge on Oct. 20. The value of stolen property and damage at all three businesses was estimated at more than $750, according to a police affidavit.
Jared Hart was arrested at the Kenai Courthouse Wednesday, Sandahl said. According to court records, Jared Hart failed to appear for a trial call in a separate case Wednesday and was issued a bench warrant by Superior Court Judge Charles Huguelet.
Video surveillance captured two suspects inside Lucky Diamond the night of the burglary. The second suspect was viewed with long hair in a French braid underneath a baseball cap. Kenai police recognized the suspect as Jared Hart, whom officers have had contact with in the past, according to the affidavit.
Kenai police found two sets of footprints at the scene of the Moose Lodge burglary. Six days later, Kenai police responded to a report of a man overdosing on heroin in a vehicle near the Kenai Golf Course. The man was identified as Jeremy Hart, according to the report.
In an interview following his arrest, Jeremy Hart admitted to the burglary and stealing cash and damaging property at all three businesses “because of a heroin addiction,” according to the report.
Jared Hart was arraigned in Kenai District Court Thursday. He is currently jailed at Wildwood Pretrial Facility. His next court date is Nov. 17.
Reach Dan Balmer at daniel.balmer@peninsulaclarion.com
