Teen faces multiple charges in after high-speed chase

PALMER — Heljay J. Billuk, 18, of Anchorage, was charged on Dec. 23 in Wasilla for failure to stop at the direction of an officer, leaving the scene of an injury accident, assault in the first degree, vehicle theft in the first degree, theft in the first degree and two charges of criminal mischief in the third degree in addition to failing to provide vehicle insurance and improper use of evidence of registration.

The litany of charges came after a high-speed chase, exceeding 90 mph that covered Seward Meridian Drive and east to Fireweed Drive.

Police received a call that a person was trying to break into a pickup truck in the Walmart parking lot, and as they pulled into the lot and attempted to pull over the suspicious vehicle, the driver took off.

Police say that approaching the Shell station near Hyer Road, the Avalanche being driven, allegedly by Billuk, began driving against traffic, trying to pass three cars at once.

The driver struck one car at approximately 55 mph, but despite the damage, kept on going, driving off-road and eventually onto the Parks Highway.

Police said the pursuit on the Parks lasted one mile when the excessive front end damage the Avalanche suffered caused it to stop.

When police arrested Billuk, they found a passenger in the vehicle as well. Bethany Porotesano was asked by police whether she knew the car was stolen when she got in with Billuk, according to court records, and told police she did not know Billuk and said, “I don’t care, as long as it gets me from point A to point B,” police say Porotesano said. The reported added that Porotesano then asked police whether they could let Billuk go.

Porotesano was arrested as well.

The driver of the car struck by Billuk was transported to the hospital with a suspected head injury, with some swelling and bleeding from his head and some bleeding on his hands.

The owner of the vehicle said it was stolen from a hospital in Anchorage four days earlier.

Billuk was given a bail amount of $10,000 with a court appointed third party custodian. His next court date is set for Jan. 3 at 1 p.m.