Pembroke man arraigned from his hospital bed in Manchester shooting

MANCHESTER — Police shot a driver in the front seat of his Jeep SUV Monday evening after a frantic chase through a crowded center city neighborhood and shouted warnings from officers, witnesses said.


Arraigned this morning in 9th Circuit Court, Manchester District Division, from his hospital bed was Christopher Varagianis, 37, of 12 Alyssa Drive, Pembroke. He is charged with attempted first-degree assault for trying to run down a Manchester police detective; two counts of reckless conduct; two counts of disobeying a police officer, and resisting arrest.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Janice Rundles said Varagianis suffered two gunshot wounds. He was taken to Elliot Hospital for what were described as non-life-threatening injuries.

http://www.unionleader.com/article/20130604/NEWS07/130609788

MANCHESTER — Shot twice in the legs by police, a Pembroke man who led police on a center-city car chase Monday had to be Tasered and still struggled before he could be handcuffed, police said in court records disclosed Tuesday.

Christopher Varagianis, 37, remained hospitalized Tuesday at Elliot Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said. He faces charges ranging from attempted first-degree assault to resisting arrest, following a frenzied chase through the city around 6 p.m. Monday.

According to court records, the chase ended a little more than a block east of the old Manchester police station, with two gigantic SUVs facing off against each other, nearly grill to grill. Plainclothes detective Michael Lavallee was behind the wheel of an unmarked Manchester police GMC Yukon, its blue lights flashing, trying to contain a fleeing vehicle.

Varagianis was at the wheel of a Jeep Commander, hoping to break loose.

Varagianis had stepped on the gas and rammed the police Yukon. Lavallee floored his accelerator, trying to both prevent Varagianis' escape and protect nearby police officers who were on foot.

Through it all, detective Sgt. Joe Mucci was directly outside the passenger side of the Jeep, his gun drawn and yelling at Varagianis to stop.

http://www.unionleader.com/article/20130605/NEWS03/130609682