DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa.– Police arrested a man after he fondled two women inside Victoria’s Secret, stole merchandise, and engaged in a police chase that damaged multiple patrol vehicles.
Christopher Novitzke is facing charges of criminal attempted homicide, three counts of aggravated assault, fleeing and eluding and retail theft among other charges.
On August 22, Lower Paxton Police responded to a disorderly person call at Colonial Park Mall. Officers were advised that a white male subject, identified as
Novitzke, had fondled two women inside the Victoria’s Secret store and fled with stolen merchandise. According to the affidavit, Novitzke groped two young girls before groping two store mannequins.
Novitzke proceeded to ask a store employee where he could find a “Japanese style” robe. However, the employee informed Novitzke that they didn’t have any in the store, and as she turned around Novitzke passed her on her left side and grabbed her left breast.
Novitzke continued to the checkout counter, and attempted to get the cashier’s attention. Once she turned around, Novitzke reached out and grabbed both of her breasts. The store manager told police at this time two unknown men approached Novitzke and began arguing with him. This led to a small scuffle between the three men.
Shortly after, mall security arrived and Novtizke fled the scene with what the store manager believed was a maroon or purple bra without paying.
Novitzke made his getaway in a green 2006 Dodge Caravan.
The responding patrol sergeant was able to find Novitzke driving down Royal Avenue, which is a dead end road. The sergeant attempted to conduct a traffic stop once Novitzke’s vehicle could no longer continue down the street, due to a gated entrance.
Novitzke proceeded to put his minivan in reverse and rammed the sergeant’s patrol vehicle several times. Due to his ramming, Novitzke was able to move the patrol vehicle enough to flee from the traffic stop.
As Novitzke began to leave the area, other responding officers began to arrive. Once Novitzke saw the other patrol units arriving, he made a U-Turn in the middle of Earl Avenue and accelerated, striking the patrol sergeant’s vehicle head on. Novitzke attempted to get out of his vehicle and flee on foot, but he was apprehended by the other officers on the scene.
Novitzke was arraigned and placed in Dauphin County Prison in lieu of bail.
