Police Rescue arrest man in a river

“Everyone involved was drenched”: 33-year-old’s desperate attempt to avoid arrest at Lismore.

RIVER ARREST: Officers from Richmond Police District Rescue Unit were called to assist with the arrest of man, 33, who tried to evade officers by jumping in the Wilson River, Lismore. File Photo: Alison Paterson

Leaping into cold water will not stop police from pursuing you and making an arrest.

A man learned this the hard way on Tuesday, when he jumped into the Wilsons River at Lismore in an effort to evade arrest.

But officers jumped in after him, and the 33-year-old will face court today (Wednesday, April 21).

Richmond Police District Acting Inspector Claude Toscan said officers from the Police Rescue Rescue squad were called after a man jumped into the Wilsons River in a desperate attempt to avoid police.

"Around 1.30pm yesterday, police had cause to speak with a 33-year-old man in the Lismore CBD near the Transit Centre on Molesworth St," he said.

"During the course of their discussions, the man run away and jumped into the Wilsons River."

He said police then tried to negotiate with him to come out.

But after the man refused to take police direction and leave the water, officers from the Rescue Squad were called.

"The Rescue Squad officers donned wetsuits in order to swim over to the man; everyone involved was drenched," Act Insp Toscan said. 

"The man was arrested in the middle of the river and resisted officers before he was removed from the water.

"The man, 33, was then bail refused to face robbery, assault police and reckless wounding charges.

"We also had police officers on the river bank during the incident."

The man will face Lismore Court today, April 21, 2021.

Originally published as Dramatic arrest after man jumps in river to escape police