Cops: Man steals car after being released from jail

WASILLA — Police say a Wasilla man stole a car and assaulted two family members shortly after being released from Mat-Su Pretrial Facility for a DUI arrest.

James Tiger Ewing, 25, was charged with felony vehicle theft, misdemeanor DUI and fourth-degree assault after allegedly committing a series of crimes Friday night.

According to a trooper dispatch, Palmer Police received a report at around 10:05 p.m. that a Chevy Cruze had been stolen from near the Valley Hotel in Palmer. Seven minutes later, another report came in about a disturbance at an apartment building off Old Matanuska Road, with the stolen car reportedly also at the location.

Troopers, along with Wasilla and Palmer police officer, arrived on the scene and found Ewing had allegedly assaulted two family members at the apartment. Troopers said he stole the car after being released from the nearby pretrial facility for Driving Under the Influence.

He was taken back to jail and held without bail until he could be arraigned.