NPD release - Details: On July 14th, 2026, at approximately 1120 HOURS, Newport officers responded to the Days Inn, located at 544 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 known associate, Christopher Michael Lekoff, 20 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. Today, while the victim was 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 US Currency 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 Department 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 US Currency were located hidden inside Lekoff’s vehicle.   Lekoff was transported from Florence to the Lincoln County Jail where he was lodged.