Wanted Mahanoy woman flees traffic stop, police give chase, leaving man behind who also flees
MAHANOY CITY – Two people from Mahanoy City are facing charges after one fled a traffic stop, leaving the other behind who then fled when police were in pursuit.
Shawna Zandarski, 32, and Dennis Brennan, 61, both of 1038 East Market Street, are facing charges after the incident last Thursday.
Zandarski is facing felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor flight, resisting arrest, and evading arrest, while Brennan is facing misdemeanor harboring a fugitive, obstruction of justice, and evading arrest charges, along with traffic infractions related to the traffic stop.
According to the criminal complaints filed against the two by Mahanoy City Patrolman Derek Weicikosky, police spotted a Chevy Equinox in the 600 block of West Railroad Street around 8pm.
That SUV, they said, they knew was frequently driven by Brennan, who has a suspended driver’s license. They confirmed Brennan was behind the wheel and conducted a traffic stop at Centre and Catawissa near the Truskowsky Funeral Home.
Before the vehicle came to a stop, Zandarski bailed out of the passenger side of the car and fled.
Police recognized Zandarski, who had an arrest warrant, and gave chase.
Officers gave her multiple commands to stop, which were ignored as she ran down Market Street, onto A Street, and onto Pine Street, where she was caught in a vacant lot in the 400 block.
Mahanoy Township Police assisted there and officers returned to the scene of the traffic stop to find Brennan was gone, locking his car before taking off.
During the foot pursuit, Mahanoy City Patrolman Jordan Smith fell onto the pavement, causing injury to his wrist.
Zandarski was read her Miranda warnings and agreed to speak about the night’s events, saying that Brennan was driving and that “she was surprised that he didn’t stay on scene.”
Asked why she ran, she told police she didn’t know.
On the way to the Schuylkill County Prison, police said she told them Brennan prevented her from turning herself in.
Police said Brennan had been advised of Zandarski’s arrest warrants previously and was warned that if he were caught harboring her, he would face charges.
Zandarski was committed to Schuylkill County Prison, unable to post 10% of $10,000 bail. Her preliminary hearing is set for Dec. 28 before Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker.
Brennan has a preliminary hearing the same day.
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