Troopers: Palmer man at large after escaping custody

WASILLA — Alaska State Troopers say a Palmer man remained at large Thursday after escaping custody in the aftermath of an early-morning incident in Wasilla in which he tried to flee from police at speeds reaching 100 miles per hour. His passenger also was arrested.

In an online dispatch posted Thursday morning, troopers said John Linebaugh, 33, had been taken to Mat-Su Regional Hospital for a “pre-existing injury” following his arrest early Thursday but escaped from hospital staff. A description of Linebaugh was not immediately available. Troopers are asking anyone with information regarding Linebaugh’s whereabouts to call 352-5401 or Mat-Su Crime Stoppers at 745-3333.

Below is the text of the dispatch:

On 07/28/2016 at approximately 0308 hours, Alaska State Troopers attempted to stop a black Oldsmobile for multiple moving violations on the Parks Highway near Vienna Woods Access Road.

The vehicle immediately failed to yield reaching speeds in excess of 100 MPH, running multiple stop signs and steady red traffic signals, and drove southbound in the northbound lanes of the Parks Highway. The vehicle crashed into a marked AST unit damaging the unit before crashing into the roundabout at Lucille Street and Seldon Road where the driver, John Linebaugh age 33 of Palmer, fled on foot. Linebaugh was apprehended by Wasilla Police K-9 Marshal, Linebaugh continued to resist arrest. The passenger, Stephen Walsh age 36 of Wasilla, and owner of the vehicle provided false information to AST and was also found to be a felon on possession of a firearm. Walsh was arrested and transported to Mat-Su Pretrial where he was held on $1,000 bail. Linebaugh was taken to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center for a pre-existing injury where he fled from hospital staff.