Man Arrested For Leading Police On Chase, Jumping In River In Escape Attempt
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A man is facing a list of charges for leading police on a chase and jumping in the river to try and get away Wednesday morning.
The man also tried to escape from the hospital while being treated for injuries sustained in the chase.
According to police, the incident started around 6:45 a.m. near the intersection of Warrington Avenue and Route 51.
The suspect, identified by police say 30-year-old James Williams, pulled up alongside a marked police car, made eye contact with a detective and took off through the red light.
The detective ran the plate and found that the vehicle had been reported stolen in Bloomfield overnight. The detective did not pursue the vehicle as it headed in the direction of the West End.
Shortly after, Zone 6 officers spotted the vehicle near the West End Circle. As they approached the vehicle, the suspect jumped out and tried to escape on foot.
"Pulled up behind the officers in the area, and fled out of the vehicle on foot," Pittsburgh Public Safety spokesperson Emily Schaffer.
Officers found the man hiding in an auto recycling yard, where he pushed a steel shelving unit onto a sergeant. Fortunately, the sergeant was not injured.
However, the suspect managed to climb a fence, then jumped into the Ohio River and tried to swim away. River Rescue responded to the area and found the suspect tangled in a rope that was attached to a barge.
"He was stuck so bad, they had to call out River Rescue to get him," Schaffer said.
He was taken to Allegheny General Hospital to be treated for injuries sustained in the ordeal.
But, the suspect wasn't done trying to get away.
Police say Williams also attempted to flee the hospital, but officers quickly found him hiding in a dumpster. Police say he wasn't wearing any clothing when he escaped from the hospital.
"He did escape from the hospital," said Schaffer. "Officers did chase him about two blocks from the hospital."
Williams was then taken to Allegheny County Jail. He is facing charges of reckless driving, fleeing or attempting to elude police, criminal trespass, escape, aggravated assault, open lewdness, receiving stolen property, and false identification to law enforcement authorities.
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