An 18-year-old Jamestown man jumped into the James River and was rescued by a police officer Monday, according to the Jamestown Police Department.
Police said officers responded to the 700 block of Fourth Avenue Northwest at about 3:53 a.m. after a report of an 18-year-old man threatening to hurt himself. The officers handcuffed the man for safety reasons and began questioning him and others. An officer developed probable cause to believe the man had committed an alcohol violation and requested an alcohol screening test from him.
The man then turned and ran toward the James River, with an officer in pursuit, and jumped. The officer caught the chain on the man's handcuffs and was pulled in by his momentum. The officer regained control of the suspect and treaded water while holding the man's head above water. The officer pulled the man to the bank, where other officers helped them out of the water.
The 18-year-old was placed in a squad car, where he began kicking the top of the cab and caused damage to the vehicle before officers applied leg restraints to him.
The suspect was taken to Jamestown Regional Medical Center, where he received a checkup and was released. He was then taken to Stutsman County Correctional Center.
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No officer injuries occurred. The man was charged with preventing arrest and criminal mischief, both Class A misdemeanors, and consumption of alcohol under 21, a Class B misdemeanor.
