Robber Held In Jail

The man charged with robbing the front desk at Jorgenson's Inn and Suites, in Helena, on Tuesday evening, is being held in jail, after appearing in justice court, by video Wednesday. Prosecutors say 52 year old John Michael Burke Jr. Pointed a revolver at a desk clerk and demanded money, leaving with $286. The victim told police the robber fled and a short time later Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton spotted Burke across the street.

Part of that evidence was the clothes he wore during the robbery, and the gun police believe was used, both of which were recovered in garbage cans.

Burke faces a charge of robbery, which carries a two-year minimum sentence and a maximum of 40 years. A separate felony charge, obstruction of justice, carries a maximum of 10 years in prison. Justice of the Peace Mike Swingley set a preliminary hearing for May 27.