Wilkes-Barre police are searching for 31-year-old Jaquan Ellis Pankey after he allegedly led officers on a dangerous seven-mile pursuit with a young child inside his vehicle. The incident began early Friday morning when officers responded to a domestic dispute and attempted to detain Pankey. Despite police deploying a stun gun, Pankey managed to flee the scene in a Dodge Durango, initiating a high-speed chase through city streets and onto the Cross Valley Expressway. Authorities eventually lost sight of the SUV and officially called off the pursuit at 7:10 a.m. due to safety concerns, and Pankey’s current whereabouts remain unknown.
The investigation has led to multiple pending charges against Pankey, including fleeing or attempting to elude an officer and endangering the welfare of a child. Police have expressed heightened concern because of the minor's presence in the vehicle during the high-speed flight. While the Dodge Durango was last seen headed toward the expressway, law enforcement agencies throughout Luzerne County have been alerted to be on the lookout for the vehicle. Members of the public with any information regarding Pankey's location are encouraged to contact the Wilkes-Barre Police Department immediately.
