Wilkes-Barre, PA – On Sunday, Wilkes-Barre police arrested a suspect on charges of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer and recklessly endangering another person in the vicinity of Market Street, Wilkes-Barre Blvd, and Dougher Lane.
While conducting a routine patrol, an officer observed a male operating an ATV near the intersection of Market Street and Wilkes-Barre Blvd.
Upon activating his emergency lights and siren, the officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop. However, the male on the ATV disregarded the officer’s signal and instead accelerated at a high rate of speed, heading toward Coal St. In a reckless maneuver, the driver drove onto the sidewalk, narrowly avoiding collision with a pedestrian. For safety reasons, the pursuing officer decided to terminate the brief pursuit.
Further investigation led the officer to 24 Dougher Lane, where he observed the same male present near a grill, wearing identical clothing as before, and noticeable tire tracks alongside the house. The male was later identified as John Devine. Additional law enforcement officers arrived at the scene, and while attempting to engage Devine in conversation, he fled into the residence at 24 Dougher Lane and refused to comply with officers’ commands to exit.
As a result, a search warrant was obtained and granted.
Officers entered the residence and were able to apprehend Devine without any further incident. He was then transported to the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department for processing and later transferred to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility, where he will remain in custody awaiting arraignment.