An immigrant lacking permanent legal status sits behind bars without bail after he fled local police and a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Wednesday morning, according to a criminal complaint.

Rene Rodriguez-Pineda, 25, of Middle River, Maryland, was arrested by Dickson City Police and ICE.

Dickson City police stopped Rodriguez-Pineda at about 6:30 a.m. along the Scranton-Carbondale Highway near Interstate 81, after noticing debris hanging from his pickup truck. Officers noted that the vehicle’s registration plate was unreadable and seemed to be dirty or faded.

Police pulled Rodriguez-Pineda over in order to secure the load.

Police noticed  Rodriguez-Pineda’s insurance card expired in 2024. According to the complaint, officers ran a records check on Rodriguez-Pineda and determined he lacked permanent legal status.

As Dickson City Patrolman Matthew Gallagher was speaking to Rodriguez-Pineda about his insurance, an ICE agent approached.

When Rodriguez-Pineda saw the ICE agent, he began running. When Gallagher attempted to stop him, Rodriguez-Pineda turned around and struck him in the neck, knocking off his body camera and radio. Gallagher continued to chase him, directing him to stop, police said. He ran onto Interstate 81.

Both Gallagher and the ICE agent continued to attempt to stop Rodriguez-Pineda, even taking him to the ground. But, he got up and continued to run.

Gallagher deployed his taser several times, which ultimately stopped Rodriguez-Pineda and he was taken into custody, according to the complaint.

Edwin Gonzales-Hower, a passenger in the vehicle, fled during the incident and law enforcement officers were unable to locate him.

Gallagher sustained several minor injuries.

Rodriguez-Pineda is charged with aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, resisting arrest and attempted escape. He remains at Lackawanna County Prison without bail, with court paperwork indicating, “ICE Detainer.”

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:45 a.m. on Sept. 2 before District Judge Kipp Adcock.