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Man Captured After Jumping Into River to Escape Police

CHICAGO – A man allegedly stealing catalytic converters who attempted to flee police by jumping into the North Branch of the Chicago River Wednesday night was taken into custody a short time later.

Police arrived in the 2200 block of North Elston Avenue about 9:35 p.m. and a male fled on foot and jumped into the river, police News Affairs Officer Hector Alfaro said.

Police initially responded to a call of a theft in progress and when they arrived at 2241 N. Elston Ave. they heard a saw, according to Shakespeare District police Capt. Marc Buslik.

The 38-year-old suspect was allegedly cutting catalytic converters off of vehicles in a parking lot there. He had already taken one and was in the process of taking another one when he saw the officers, according to the captain.

“He took off and winds up in the river,” according to the captain who he almost broke his leg in the process of jumping into the water.

He was rescued when the crews from the police Marine Unit dragged him up onto a barge, according to Buslik.

Fire Media Affairs spokesman Joe Roccasalva said the person ended up on a barge at 2243 N. Elston Ave., where he was taken into police custody.

The suspect remained at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center where his injuries were not life threatening , according to Buslik who said he has not been charged as of 4:15 a.m.