Man arrested at Frances Slocum facing stalking charges

LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A man who was arrested near Frances Slocum State Park Wednesday is facing charges after police say he fled from the police station while being arraigned on stalking charges.

On June 26 around 6:55 a.m., officers were called to Passan Drive in Jenkins Township to help with a brush fire and a suspicious car near the fire.

Crews told police that while they were putting out the fire they heard gunshots come from a wooded area where a Ford pickup truck was parked. Around the area, police said they found shotgun shells and fireworks inside the car.

Officers say they contacted the car owner who informed them he loaned it to Shane Howell, 37, of Wilkes-Barre. Through further investigation, police learned the brush fire was near the house of Howell’s estranged wife, who has an active protection-from-abuse order against him.

Investigators say Howell’s estranged wife told them she spotted a drone flying outside her home, she heard banging on her window multiple times and she found a tracking device on her car. The victim also noted she was at a restaurant in Old Forge and Howell had blocked her car with a Ford pickup truck, as stated in the affidavit.

A search was initiated for Howell who was found and arrested by the Pennsylvania State Police near Francis Slocum State Park in Kingston Township on Wednesday.

Once Howell was arraigned at the police station, police say he fled through the front door into a wooded area but was located a short time after.

Howell was charged with escape, evading arrest, stalking, prowling at night, disorderly conduct, and unauthorized use of a vehicle. He remains in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility without bail.

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