David Brannigan, 44, of Dallas, Pennsylvania, was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker on Monday and committed to Schuylkill County Prison on $50,000 straight cash bail.
According to court documents, Brannigan is charged with felony Flight to Avoid Apprehension, Trial or Punishment and misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct – Hazardous/Physical Offense, stemming from an incident on December 8, 2025.
State police say a trooper from the PSP Frackville barracks was on routine patrol when he was dispatched around 4:15 p.m. to 101 Logistics Drive in Mahanoy Township to serve a warrant. Prior to arriving on scene, the trooper confirmed Brannigan had active warrants, including one from the Luzerne County Sheriff’s Office and another listed through PSP Frackville.
Upon arrival, the trooper observed Brannigan operating a yellow articulating dump truck at the construction site. Police say overhead emergency lights were activated in an attempt to stop the vehicle, but Brannigan failed to yield and instead drove through the construction area in a reckless manner. Brannigan then exited the dump truck and fled the site on foot, traveling north.
Police report that multiple commands to stop were ignored. The trooper later observed Brannigan lying face-up in the snow. After being ordered to turn onto his stomach and place his hands behind his back, Brannigan complied and was taken into custody.
Brannigan was identified through his suspended Pennsylvania driver’s license. A subsequent NCIC/CLEAN check confirmed active warrants from the Luzerne County Sheriff’s Office for burglary and from PSP Frackville for flight to avoid apprehension. Authorities requested and received confirmation of the warrants, and Luzerne County officials asked that Brannigan be confined at Schuylkill County Prison.
Brannigan remains incarcerated, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 18, 2025.