Citizen Tip Lead to Felon Arrest Last Week

The Washington’s Most Wanted list served its purpose last Sunday, July 14 evening when Bonney Lake police officers arrested wanted felon Willard Steven Stewart Jr. in the Walmart parking lot.

A citizen familiar with Stewart told police they learned of his criminal history from the list and shared information about his whereabouts that day with officers Sunday morning, according to officers’ reports.

Stewart had a felony warrant for escape from community custody and had a history of being combative toward law enforcement. The escape warrant stemmed from an original charge of first-degree burglary. He also had outstanding warrants from Sumner for domestic violence fourth-degree assault, SeaTac for DUI and Federal Way for a protection order violation. His most recent felony convictions were for two counts of unlawful possession of firearms.

Five Bonney Lake officers, with back up from Sumner Police, assembled in the area of the Walmart parking lot at about 5:30 p.m. and waited for Stewart to arrive. A female acquaintance was in the passenger seat.

Upon contact with officers, Stewart reportedly tried to flee the area in his vehicle but was pinned by two patrol vehicles; the impacts also served to disable his vehicle, causing a flat tire.

Stewart was taken into custody and a pellet gun was removed from a right hip holster. Other items recovered included a knife, leg irons and pepper spray. He was booked on one count of attempting to elude a police vehicle, one count of reckless driving, one count of driving while license suspended second degree and his multiple warrants.

His passenger was released. One officer was evaluated at the scene for a stiff back but did not go to a hospital.