Man who led cops on New Year's Eve chase into Lebanon indicted on 9 counts

The Jetta that police took out with a PIT stop in Lebanon during a New Year's chase. At right is mugshot of Christopher Landry. (Maine State Police photo; inset photo, York County Jail)

ALFRED, Maine - A Sanford man who led Rochester and Maine police on a high speed chase New Year's Eve faces some hard time after his indictment on nine charges, including four Class C felonies which carry a maximum five-year prison sentence apiece.

Christopher R. Landry, 25, of 5 Bougie Lane, faces charges of eluding, reckless conduct with weapon, a pair of criminal mischief charges, unauthorized use, violation of bail, OAS, failure to stop and criminal speed.

The incident unfolded around 11 p.m. on Dec. 31 when Rochester (NH) Police attempted to stop Landry, who was driving a Volkswagen Jetta without the owner's permission.

Maine State Police were notified when he was last seen fleeing into Lebanon, where moments later a state trooper observed the vehicle traveling erratically. The trooper activated his emergency lights and siren to conduct a traffic stop, but the vehicle sped off at a high rate of speed.

Another trooper was in the area and joined the pursuit as it continued toward Acton. When a York County Sheriff's Deputy deployed a tire deflation device, the Jetta began to slow down but then continued to flee, sometimes driving in the opposing lane, according to a report from Maine State Police.

Safety officials said a trooper managed to end the chase with a PIT (precision immobilization technique) stop, after which Landry fled into the woods on foot.

A perimeter was then set up with Troopers from Troop A, B, and G along with members of the York County Sheriff's Office.

Trooper Adam Schmidt and K9 Ibo arrived on scene soon after to conduct a track, which located Landry deep in the woods hiding behind a tree where he was taken into custody without further incident.

The York County grand jury indictments were handed down April 2 and released today.

An indictment is not an indication of guilt, rather that enough evidence has been gathered to warrant a trial.