Man accused of harassing, chasing two girls outside Glacier Cinemas arrested after witnesses intervene

Victims, ages 12 and 13, tell police they feared being kidnapped or harmed

By Mark Sabbatini

Juneau Independent

A man accused of chasing and yelling at two girls, ages 12 and 13, was arrested Thursday night after witnesses blocked his path, allowing the girls to seek safety and call police, according to a Juneau Police Department statement issued Friday night.

Darian Walter Bliss, 36, was charged with two counts of assault and one count of child enticement — all Class A misdemeanors — following his arrest, according to JPD. The department was notified at 9:06 p.m. Thursday about the incident outside Glacier Cinemas near the intersection of Cinema Drive and Mendenhall Loop Road.

"The investigation revealed that the juveniles were leaving a movie theater when they observed (Bliss) acting erratically nearby," the statement notes. "The juveniles reported that Bliss began running toward them, causing them to flee the area. As they ran, Bliss allegedly continued pursuing them while yelling. The juveniles reported fearing they would be kidnapped or otherwise harmed."

"Several community members witnessed portions of the incident and intervened by positioning themselves between Bliss and the juveniles while the girls sought safety and contacted law enforcement."

Bliss allegedly yelled statements to the girls "offering to take them home and asking if they wanted to get on a bus with him while he pursued them," according to JPD. He was located and arrested shortly after JPD received the report, and taken to Lemon Creek Correctional Center.

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.