Man pleads not guilty in chase

A man who led authorities on a pursuit through Whitefish after fleeing the scene of a disturbance pleaded not guilty Thursday in Flathead County District Court to theft, family member assault, eluding police, criminal endangerment, and tampering with physical evidence.

After the hearing, Steven Hughes Henning, 26, was released into the custody of his mother to enter a drug treatment program in Billings.

Henning was arrested Dec. 27 after eventually returning 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. on Dec. 27 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 already had broken into a gun cabinet, taken a .357-caliber magnum handgun and ammunition, and left in the 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 soon called off because speeds became unsafe for traffic and weather conditions.

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, who is on probation in King County, Wash., was reportedly in town visiting for the holidays.

Henning previously was arrested in Flathead County for family member assault on Dec. 25 after he threatened his parents with a sledgehammer and damaged the house.

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