Police: Fugitive charged in stabbing led state troopers on 130 mph chase

A New Jersey man forced his way into a south Bethlehem home Wednesday night and stabbed his ex-girlfriend, who had ended their relationship earlier in the day, police said.

Christopher Alexander, 35, of Newark, fled after the altercation, evading police in a pursuit that involved a crash with another vehicle and reached 90 mph before Bethlehem officers ended their chase. Pennsylvania state troopers attempted to stop Alexander as he drove on Interstate 78, but broke off their pursuit at 130 mph, according to court records.

Alexander is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, burglary, eluding police, fleeing to avoid prosecution, causing an accident and summary traffic offenses. He remained at large when the charges were filed Thursday,

Assistant District Attorney William Blake said.

According to a police affidavit, Alexander’s former girlfriend ended her relationship with him Wednesday morning and went to her friend’s house in the 1300 block of East Eighth Street. Police responded about 9:30 p.m. for a report that a man had entered the home and punched and stabbed someone.

The ex-girlfriend identified her assailant as Alexander. Others in the home told police Alexander left in his car after the assault, police said.

One witness said Alexander began knocking on the door and the ex-girlfriend answered it. Alexander cursed at her and demanded that she come outside. When she refused, Alexander forced his way into the house and tried to pull her outside, according to court records.

Witnesses said Alexander pushed the ex-girlfriend onto a couch and punched her in the face, causing a golf-ball-sized bruise. During the assault, the woman realized she had been stabbed in her left hand and lost sensation in her middle finger. A witness said she saw what appeared to be a knife in Alexander’s hands, court records say. The ex-girlfriend was treated at St. Luke’s Hospital, police said.

A Bethlehem police officer spotted Alexander’s car near East Third Street and attempted to stop it after following it to Wind Creek Boulevard. Alexander continued driving on Daly Avenue, colliding with another car and running several red traffic signals. The officer ended the pursuit when he reached 90 mph on Hellertown Road. State police located the car on I-78 but were unable to stop it.

Blake said Alexander is believed to be in New Jersey.