Newtown Man Stabbed K-9, Hit NJ Trooper After Chase: Police

NEWTOWN, PA — A Newtown man is facing a slew of felony charges after New Jersey State Police said he stabbed a K-9 and struck a state trooper with a flashlight after a police chase Monday afternoon.

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

Police allege Falkenstein was holding a knife while standing outside a car on I-295 near Exit 28 in Bellmawr around 2:13 p.m. Monday. As troopers reached the area, Falkenstein got in his car and sped north on I-295, New Jersey State Police allege.

Falkenstein took Exit 36A for Route 73 then got onto the New Jersey Turnpike, police said. The chase ended near Exit 4 in Mount Laurel when Falkenstein’s car was involved in a crash, CBS3 reports.

Police allege Falkenstein stabbed a State Police K-9 that officers used to get him out of his car after the crash, then hit a trooper with a flashlight as they tried to arrest him and move the injured K-9 from his car.

Falkenstein 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, and eluding and resisting arrest, according to New Jersey court records.

He was being held Monday at Burlington County Jail pending a detention hearing. No further information was available Tuesday afternoon.