Independance Man Arrested For Armed Robbery

On Tuesday July 14^th, 2026, at approximately 11:20 am, Newport officers responded to the Days Inn, located on SW Coast Hwy, on the report of a Armed Robbery. Officers responded to the area and contacted the victim who stated they had just been robbed by a suspect identified as 20-year old Christopher M. Lekoff, of Independence, Oregon.

Further investigation revealed Lekoff and the victim had known each other for several years and had shared a room at the business the previous night together. The victim reported that while in the shower, Lekoff packed all his possessions.

When the victim exited the bathroom, Lekoff demanded the victim’s purse. The victim admitted to having a large sum of money inside their purse, which Lekoff was aware of. When the victim refused to hand over their purse to Lekoff, he brandished a firearm and continued to demand the victim’s property. In fear, the victim complied.

Lekoff fled the room with the victim’s purse and money and got into his vehicle. He then left the area headed southbound on Hwy 101. Newport Police alerted the surrounding agencies to be on the lookout for Lekoff and his vehicle.

A short time later the vehicle and Lekoff were located in Florence, Oregon. Florence Police Officers conducted a High Risk Vehicle Stop and detained Lekoff. An officer from the Newport Police Department responded to Florence while another Newport officer completed a search warrant for Lekoff’s vehicle to search for the firearm and the missing purse and money. Upon service of the warrant, a 9mm handgun, along with the victim’s purse and money were located hidden inside his vehicle.

 Lekoff was transported from Florence to the Lincoln County Jail where he was lodged on charges of Robbery 1, Theft 1, and Menacing. The incident remains under investigation.