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Gunfire Leads to Police Chase Spanning Four Counties

TUNKHANNOCK TOWNSHIP, Pa.  — The suspect in an overnight high-speed police chase that went through four counties is now in custody in Luzerne County. Afte...

TUNKHANNOCK TOWNSHIP, Pa.  -- The suspect in an overnight high-speed police chase that went through four counties is now in custody in Luzerne County.

After an early morning shooting, investigators say Christopher Banks of Glen Lyon crashed into a police car in Wilkes-Barre and then took off and headed north on Interstate 81.

Banks went before a judge Friday morning who refused to allow him bail.

Banks was led into the Plains Township Police Department around 9 a.m.

Police Say around 2:30 a.m. Friday, Banks fired shots from his car into another car on Mayock and East Main Street in Plains Township.

A woman who did not want to go on camera tells Newswatch 16 all the noise woke her up.

"I heard like a couple loud shots. I didn't know if it was that or like a car backfiring but then I heard a loud bang and then you could tell it was car smashing into something."

Police saw Banks holding a gun and ordering him not to move.

Instead, he put his car in reverse, hitting a Plains Township police car and took off.

According to court papers, police began chasing Banks as he traveled through East Main Street crossing over Jumper Road.

He then got on Interstate 81 north and drove at speeds of more than 120 miles per hour.

He made a U-turn at the Avoca exit then got back on I-81 heading toward Scranton, eventually getting on Interstate 380.

The chase finally ended near the Mount Pocono exit in Monroe County where Banks was taken into custody and taken back to Luzerne County.

"We need cops to protect this town because it's going to hell. It's hard to control," said Francis Herbert of Plains Township.

Banks is facing a list of charges including fleeing an officer, aggravated assault, possession of a prohibited firearm, and driving under the influence.

He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 8 at central court.

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