MAHANOY CITY - A 24-year-old man who threatened to harm himself Friday afternoon was the subject of a manhunt by Mahanoy City police that lasted into the night.
As of late Friday, authorities had not located Jeremiah Spirko, 639 E. Centre St.
The man is described as being about 6 feet 4 inches tall with a thin build and brown, thinning hair. He was seen at his home about 2 p.m. and then about 3:30 p.m. at the home of his parents in the 1200 block of East Mahanoy Avenue, wearing a light gray T-shirt and khaki shorts.
Police chief Mark J. Wiekrykas said authorities began looking for Spirko after receiving a call about 2 p.m. that he left his house and threatened to harm himself.
It has not been determined if the man was armed at the time, Wiekrykas said.
"We have conflicting reports as to whether or not he has a weapon," the chief said about 4:30 p.m. as officers from the borough, Shenandoah and Rush Township looked for the man around the former White Owl Manor home and the former General Cigar Factory just east of the borough in Mahanoy Township.
Wiekrykas said the search was concentrated in that area because a report was received about a man fitting the description of Spirko seen in the area walking with what appeared to be a handgun.
Officers, armed with automatic weapons, searched the White Owl Manor building, which now houses rooms for people to rent, as well as the large cigar plant building and wooded areas surrounding those buildings.
As authorities continued to look throughout the borough and around Spirko's home, about 7 p.m. police Lt. John Kaczmarczyk saw Spirko along Reading and Northern Railroad tracks.
"He was seen leaving his home with a pile of clothes and heading to the railroad tracks," Wiekrykas said.
A state police helicopter was called and hovered close to the tree lines in the area.
Police officers from Frackville, Mahanoy Township and state police from the Frackville station assisted but efforts to find the man were unsuccessful.
As darkness fell, Wiekrykas said the search will be called off but officers will continue to look for Spirko throughout the night and follow up on any leads they receive.
"We're going to regroup and if need be start looking again in the morning," he said.
It was still not known if the man had a weapon in his possession, the chief said, "That is the reason we're playing this very cautiously."
Although Spirko has done nothing as of yet to warrant criminal charges, Wiekrykas said a mental health warrant was obtained so the man can be evaluated once he is apprehended.
Wiekrykas said that anyone who may see or come into contact with Spirko not to approach the man but to call 911 immediately.