Pennsylvania Man Charged In Assault On NJ State Trooper, K-9

CHERRY HILL, NJ — A Pennsylvania man has been charged with assaulting law enforcement officers after stabbing a K-9 and striking a New Jersey State Trooper with a flashlight following a police chase on Monday, according to police.

Kristian Falkenstein, 43 of Newtown, Pennsylvania, was arrested after leading police officers on a chase from Bellmawr onto the New Jersey Turnpike before getting into a crash near Exit 4, according to New Jersey State Police.

Police say Falkenstein was wielding a knife while standing outside a car without a shirt on on I-295 near Exit 28 in Bellmawr at about 2:13 p.m. Monday afternoon.

State troopers responded to the scene, but Falkenstein got in his car and sped off north on I-295, police said.

He got off I-295 at Exit 36A for Route 73 before getting on the New Jersey Turnpike at Exit 4, police said.

The chase continued onto the New Jersey Turnpike until Falkenstein's car became disabled at Milepost 37.1, police said. Police didn't say how the car became disabled, but CBS 3 reports there was a crash that involved at least two cars.

At that point, police ordered him to get out of the car, but he refused, police said. A State Police K-9 was brought in to help get into the car and apprehend Falkenstein, police said. He then stabbed the K-9 with a knife, according to police.

Officers removed the injured K-9 from the car, and Falkenstein got out, police said. While police were attempting to subdue him, he hit one of the troopers with a flashlight, police said.

Police were able to subdue and arrest Falkenstein, who was charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, assault on a law enforcement K-9, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, eluding and resisting arrest.

He was lodged in the Burlington County Jail pending a detention hearing. No further information was available Tuesday afternoon. Read more here: State Trooper, K-9 Injured After Chase On NJ Turnpike: Police