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WILKES-BARRE TWP. — Police on Saturday arrested two people they say stole items from Walmart and fled from police.
Township police arrested Devon R. Leake, 23, of Queens Village, N.Y., and Daquioa A. Kelly, 21, of Wilkes-Barre, Saturday at Kelly’s home on Coal Street.
Kelly allegedly concealed shoes and a selfie stick during a trip to Walmart. The pair paid for some items with an Access card but bagged other items without scanning them. The value of the theft from Walmart was $61.17, police said.
Leake, who had a small child, Kelly and another female allegedly fled the store after being confronted by Walmart security. Leake allegedly threw the child to the ground and Kelly picked up the child before the they sped off in a black Nissan Altima with New York license plates, failing to stop at two stop signs in the Walmart parking lot, police said.
Police were able to identify Kelly through social media. At a parking lot on Reno Lane, officers found Kelly sitting in the passenger seat of the vehicle. She turned to a male in the driver seat, who was originally hidden from view upon initial approach, to bring his attention about the officer’s presence.
Leake then placed the Altima in reverse and quickly accelerated, backing directly into a Wilkes-Barre Township police vehicle which was parked directly behind him.
According to police, Leake attempted to flee on foot, was captured and taken into custody just a few feet from the vehicle.
The child involved in the incident was found inside Kelly’s residence, as was the other female in the Altima outside of Walmart. The boy was released to the custody of Children and Youth.
Leake was charged with aggravated assault of a police officer, fleeing or attempting to elude police, recklessly endangering another person, endangering the welfare of children, retail theft and reckless driving. He was arraigned and, unable to post $100,000 bail, was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility.
Kelly was charged with recklessly endangering another person, endangering the welfare of children and retail theft and was released on her own recognizance.
