U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force Arrests Suspect for Assaulting Police Officer

Harrisburg, PA – Today, United States Marshal Martin J. Pane announced the arrest of Shane Eckert - a 40-year old Thomasville man.

On January 16, 2021, officers from the West Manchester Township Police Department stopped a vehicle driven by Eckert and learned that he was a state parole violator, wanted for absconding from supervision. Eckert fled from the traffic stop in the vehicle, dragging an officer a short distance, and escaped from the scene. He was charged with Aggravated Assault, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Officer, and lesser included offenses. Later, attempts to find him were unsuccessful and the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Fugitive Task Force was asked to apprehend him.

Today, members of the task force learned that Eckert would be found at a hotel in the 300 block of Lewisberry Road in Fairview Township, York County. At about 12:30 p.m., task force members visited the hotel along with officers from the Fairview Township Police Department. As officers approached Eckert's room, he forced his way into an adjacent room and fled through a hallway. He was able to elude other officers outside the hotel as he ran from the building. He ran across the Pennsylvania Turnpike and into an overgrown area. Members of the fugitive task force, Fairview Township Police Department, the York County Sheriff's Office, and area police departments surrounded the area. The Pennsylvania State Police Aviation Unit assisted with the search for Eckert.

Just before 2 p.m., fugitive task force members found Eckert hiding in the carport of a residence in the 300 block of Limekiln Road, Fairview Township. He refused to comply with commands to surrender and was subdued after a brief struggle. Eckert was turned over to the York County Sheriff's Office Central Booking Unit for arraignment and processing. His actions during the escape from the hotel and arrest remain under investigation.

United States Marshal Pane stated, "The Marshals Service contributes to the public safety of our communities by apprehending fugitives wanted for violent crimes. Those offenders who demonstrate callous disregard for the safety of our citizens and law enforcement receive our outmost effort."

The U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force in the Middle District of Pennsylvania is comprised of 20 state, county and local police agencies, including: the York City Police Department; the Pennsylvania State Police; the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole; the York County Sheriff’s Office; the York County District Attorney's Office; the Northern York County Regional Police Department; and, the Spring Garden Township Police Department - all of whom participated in this fugitive investigation.