An Anchorage man arrested for using a stolen credit card after leading troopers on a car chase in June was back in court Monday.
Alaska State Troopers say Bryson McEneaney, 28, fled from them and members of the Soldotna Police Department for several hours on the morning of June 24 after being reported for erratic driving, according to a trooper dispatch. He was arrested later that morning when Soldotna police responded to a report of a man using a stolen credit card at Fred Meyer in Soldotna.
He was indicted on 32 charges by a grand jury in July. They range from misdemeanors to felonies and include charges of vehicle theft, reckless driving, burglary, misconduct involving controlled substances, use of a stolen credit card, providing an officer with false information and more, according to the indictment.
Defense Attorney Josh Cooley asked for a 30-day extension in McEneaney’s case, which Superior Court Judge Carl Bauman granted.
Craig Sparks with the Kenai District Attorney’s Office said he was not inclined to rush the case, as the state hopes to resolve several issues before trial.
“We have probably almost 30 witnesses,” Sparks said.
According to court documents, the car chase ended when McEneaney crashed into a tree on Funny River Road in Soldotna.
He and a passenger then fled on foot and allegedly broke into a home about one-tenth of a mile from where the car crashed, where troopers say he took shoes, items from a purse and a Ford Escape.
If convicted of the charges against him, McEneaney could face up to about 91 years in prison and a fine of up to $910,000.
McEneaney also has an open case in Anchorage, where last year he was charged with theft, vehicle theft and driving without a valid license, according to Courtview.
Reach Megan Pacer at megan.pacer@peninsulaclarion.com
