Wasilla man jailed following car chase

WASILLA — A man is behind bars this afternoon after leading law enforcement on a car chase through the city early Friday morning.

Alaska State Troopers say the responded around 4:25, a.m., Oct. 11 to a filling station on Seldon Road to check on the welfare of a driver stopped in the parking lot.

Troopers say Steven W. Stewart, 42, of Wasilla was arrested after he provided false information about his identity to troopers.

Stewart then fled the scene in a red 2001 Ford Focus to avoid being arrested on an outstanding no-bail arrest warrant for parole violations, troopers said.

Troopers say Stewart drove recklessly and into oncoming lanes of travel all the while attempting to throw physical evidence from the moving car during a pursuit through the Wasilla area.

Wasilla Police also were involved in the pursuit and arrest of Stewart, who was taken into custody with the assistance of trooper canine Blazer.

According to a trooper dispatch, Stewart was driving on a suspended license and while impaired by drugs. Because he has had at least two prior DUI convictions in the past 10 years, Stewart was charged with felony DUI. He also faces charges of felony eluding, felony evidence tampering, reckless driving, false information, driving without a license and harming a police dog.

Stewart was arrested and remanded to the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility where he is being held without bail.