Chatham-Kent police say a 21-year-old Wallaceburg man, who was trying to get away from an officer by jumping into the Sydenham River, had to be rescued by firefighters.
Police had previously arrested the man for breaching his release conditions. On May 30, he was released from custody with several conditions - one of them was he had to abide by a daily curfew of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Just before 1:00 a.m. Monday morning, an officer on general patrol saw the man riding a bicycle on James Street in Wallaceburg.
Police say he was travelling in the wrong direction on a one way street with no lighting on his bike. He was also dressed in all dark clothing and carrying a backpack.
As the officer approached the man near McNaughton Avenue, he fled through a park and under the bridge. The officer says the man eventually dumped his bicycle and fled on foot.
He then jumped in the Sydenham River and started swimming away. Police say he made it half way across, but became tired and had to be rescued by the Chatham-Kent Fire Department.
The man was taken into custody and transported to Sydenham District Hospital as a precaution.
He has been charged with failing to comply. He has been held in custody pending a bail hearing.
