Man chased through Whitefish arrested

A man who led authorities on a pursuit through Whitefish after fleeing the scene of a disturbance was arrested late Thursday night.

Steven Hughes Henning, 26, was arrested for family member assault, theft, eluding police officers and probation violation when he eventually returned to the scene of the disturbance, more than eight hours after stealing a gun and leading police on a chase that reached speeds of 80 mph.

Henning's parents called 911 from their Primrose Lane home in Happy Valley at 3:30 p.m. Thursday to report that their son had threatened them, kicked in a door, and demanded the keys to his father's truck.

When deputies arrived 12 minutes later, Henning had already broken into a gun cabinet, taken a steel-colored, .357-caliber magnum handgun and ammunition, and left in the black 1999 Dodge pickup truck.

Deputies and Whitefish police officers spotted the truck at an Iowa Avenue residence and attempted a traffic stop as Henning left the home. Henning fled and a chase ensued.

Officers tracked Henning for about six miles, from Iowa Avenue to Twin Bridges Road. At 4:45 p.m., officers reported pursuing Henning as he traveled northbound on U.S. 93 west of Whitefish, sometimes reaching speeds of 80 mph.

The pursuit was called off because speeds became unsafe for traffic and weather conditions, Flathead County Undersheriff Pete Wingert said.

Authorities believe Henning turned southbound on Farm To Market Road, but were not able to relocate him.

Then at 9:55 p.m., deputies received reports of shots fired in the Primrose Lane area. The SWAT team responded and set up a perimeter around the home to protect Henning's parents. Investigators were never able to verify if shots were actually fired or who may have fired them.

Soon after 11:30 p.m., Henning drove up to the home and was arrested without incident. He did not have the gun with him.

Henning did, however, provide investigators Friday with some likely places the gun may be. Deputies searched several areas in the West Valley, but had not yet located the gun Friday afternoon.

Investigators also do not yet know what caused the disturbance Thursday between Henning and his parents. Henning, who is on probation in King County, Wash., was reportedly in town visiting for the holidays.

Henning was previously arrested in Flathead County for family member assault on Christmas Day after he threatened his parents with a sledgehammer and damaged the house with it. He was released from the Flathead County Detention Center after his parents posted bail.

Reporter Nicholas Ledden can be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at nledden@dailyinterlake.com