South Toledoan charged in shooting at I-280 driver

2/29/2008

A South Toledo man charged with shooting at his ex-girlfriend earlier this month while following her in his vehicle on I-280 was indicted Wednesday by a Lucas County grand jury.

Christopher Hansen, 23, of 5808 Ryewyck Drive will be arraigned March 7 in Lucas County Common Pleas Court on a felonious assault charge with a gun specification.

Mr. Hansen, who is in the county jail in lieu of a $150,000 bond, faces up to nine years in prison if convicted.

Authorities said Mr. Hansen went to the home of Sandra Villarreal Feb. 17 and began circling the neighborhood. At the time, Ms. Villarreal and a friend were in a car in her driveway and decided to leave after they claimed to have seen Mr. Hansen.

They made their way from Oregon onto northbound I-280 and Mr. Hansen followed, police said. Once on the interstate, Mr. Hansen allegedly drove in front of Ms. Villarreal's car in an attempt to stop her. Ms. Villarreal swerved to the left to avoid a collision and then saw Mr. Hansen point a handgun out of his driver's side window and shoot at her, according to court records. Police arrested him at his home later that evening.