Man Who Led Police On Pursuit Held On $1 Million Bond: State Police

SOUTHBURY, CT — Christopher Alan Lemke, 33, of Fleetwood Avenue in Bethel, is accused of committing an armed-carjacking in Newtown, engaging police in pursuit and then crashing the vehicle, state police said Friday.

At 10:55 a.m. Thursday Troop A dispatch was notified by the Newtown Police Department of an armed carjacking, state police said. The vehicle stolen was described as a white-colored BMW sedan.

The vehicle was spotted by Troop A personnel traveling on Interstate-84 East by Exit 14, state police said. The suspect vehicle engaged Troopers in pursuit and got off the highway at Exit 15 where it crashed, state police said.

The driver/suspect was taken into custody and identified as Lemke, state police said. It was learned that Lemke also had an active warrant out of Danbury for firearms related charges, state police said.

A stolen firearm and narcotics were recovered, state police said. Lemke was transported to the Troop A barracks, where he was processed.

See related: Newtown Resident Kidnapped At Gunpoint; Suspect Crashes During Getaway: Police

Lemke was charged with criminal possession of a pistol/revolver, theft of a firearm, illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia, second-degree reckless endangerment, engaging police in pursuit, and reckless driving. He was held on a $1 million bond.