Felon Jailed After Armed Standoff In Wallingford: Police

Correction: An earlier version of this article stated a hostage was involved in the incident. This article has been updated to clarify the assault victim was no longer in the home at the time of the standoff.

WALLINGFORD, CT — A Wallingford man with previous felony convictions was held in lieu of $1 million bail after barricading himself in a home before fleeing from authorities on foot Wednesday, according to police.

Christopher Poach, 38, was arrested on charges including reckless endangerment, assault, breach of peace, stealing a firearm and criminal possession of body armor and a firearm, Wallingford police said in a news release.

Police said officers they were called to a home in on Fairlawn Drive in Wallingford on a domestic violence report. The person who called police told them the suspect had threatened to kill a victim in the home.

He is also suspected of trying to restrain the victim and sparking a stun gun.

Police said officers arrived at the home and tried to speak with the man, but he refused to cooperate and repeatedly told officers he had a gun. Police said the man was also seen pointing a long gun out of the house's window.

Authorities said Poach fled the home through a rear door with a gun in hand and was arrested after a foot chase.

He was found to be in possession of a gun with a live round in the chamber, which he obtained by using a chainsaw to bust open a gun safe, police said.

Sergeant Stephen Jaques, of the Wallingford Police Department, confirmed to Patch that Poach has a history of violence and has been convicted of "multiple" felonies.

He is set to make an initial court appearance on Wednesday.

The victim of the domestic violence incident was not present in the home at the time of the standoff, Jaques said.