A man attempting to evade law enforcement by diving into a river found himself apprehended by officers on paddleboards.
The incident occurred on March 16 when Florida police confronted Chase Cruz concerning alleged trespassing at an unoccupied property. Unexpectedly, Cruz made a dash, cutting through neighborhood gardens until he reached the Halifax River, according to an arrest affidavit cited by Oxygen.
As one officer pursued him on foot, two others quickly commandeered boards from Volusia County Beach Safety and paddled out to intercept Cruz, as detailed in the affidavit.
Footage, which was dramatically showcased on the Volusia Sheriff’s Office’s Instagram, captured the moment officers surrounded Cruz, who was seen treading water with his arms extended.
The affidavit notes that Cruz allegedly pleaded with the authorities, saying, “Don’t hurt me,” before being secured to a paddleboard and brought back to land.
Subsequently, Cruz was taken to the Volusia County Division of Corrections, facing charges of loitering or prowling and non-violent obstruction of an officer. He was released from custody on March 29.
The 28-year-old acknowledged that he was wrong, police noted in the doc, and “agreed to accept the consequences of his actions.” Chase formally pleaded no contest, according to court records viewed by Oxygen, and he was sentenced to 15 days in jail (with credit for five days served) and 15 hours of community service.
Chase alleged he is homeless and had been sleeping in his car at the vacant residence for two days, per the affidavit, adding that a neighbor assured him that he wouldn’t be bothered there. Chase said, per the affidavit, that he ran because he is afraid of the police.
An attorney for Chase did not immediately reply to a request for comment from Oxygen.
