A Homer man was chased through Kenai yesterday in a vehicle and on foot after stealing a car from behind the Kenai Visitor Center. 36-year-old Michael Hernandez, who has a history of burglary and theft, stole a white Ford Explorer after allegedly committing acts of theft in Old Town Kenai.
According to the Kenai Police Department, a call came in shortly after 3:3o p.m. Tuesday afternoon, stating a vehicle had been stolen from the visitor center where it was being unloaded.
“I think the individual that was unloading it went inside, and [Hernandez] jumped in the vehicle and stole it from there,” said Kenai Police Chief Dave Ross. “Our officers caught up with the vehicle on the Spur Highway right downtown and followed it into Safeway where they tried to stop it, and it turned around and fled from them.”
Hernandez fled back through Kenai, attempting to elude pursuing Kenai Police officers. However, he lost control in front of Wells Fargo and crashed into a tree on the bank’s front lawn. Hernandez then exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. After a brief foot chase, he was apprehended by the officers behind Wells Fargo.
Police also say Hernandez was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.
Additionally, police believe Hernandez had committed multiple acts of theft in Old Town Kenai before stealing the vehicle from the Visitor Center.
Hernandez was taken into custody and remanded to the Wildwood Pretrial Facility.
Hernandez is charged with Vehicle Theft, Violating Conditions of Release, DUI, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Stop at the Direction of a Peace Officer.
