Search Continues For Suspect Who Jumped Into Passaic River To Escape Police
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Police in New Jersey have resumed their search for a suspect who jumped into a river and climbed into a storm drain to avoid capture.
The suspect jumped into the Passaic River to avoid capture by Harrison police during a vehicle stop around 1 p.m. Wednesday, officials said. The suspect swam across the river, climbed onto a support on a bridge, jumped back into the river, swam to the storm drain and went inside, police said. He hasn't been seen since.
Police sent in a special robot camera into tunnels but didn't see anything. The search was suspended at nightfall after high tide rolled in and filled the tunnels with water, CBS2's Hazel Sanchez reported.
The Newark police and fire departments were focusing on the sewer system Thursday, going into manholes and searching for any sign of the suspect.
Police said what started as a rescue effort yesterday could turn into a recovery mission today.
"We're going to continue to check the sewage system. We have to wait, we're going to bring in the cadaver dogs and let them sniff around. Hopefully, they give us some sort of indication," Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said.
Ambrose said the drain had 8 feet of water in it and gases.
Police have not released the identity of the suspect but are reaching out to his family to see if he contacted anyone.
The Passaic Valley Sewer Commission says it will continue to support the search using specialized equipment.
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