Wanted Oregon man jumps into river and attempts to swim away to avoid arrest

EUGENE, Ore., June 16 (UPI) -- An Oregon man was unable to make a clean getaway after he jumped in a river on Saturday to avoid being arrested on a felony burglary arrest warrant.

An Oregon State Fish and Wildlife trooper approached Coty Hartman and cited him for a fishing violation near the Beltline Bridge in Eugene. When the trooper returned to his vehicle and ran Hartman's name, he realized he was a wanted man.

After the trooper returned and informed the 25-year-old that he was under arrest, Hartman took off and ran for about a quarter of a mile before jumping in the Willamette River.

It didn't take too long for Hartman to realize he wasn't going anywhere and he quickly returned to shore. Hartman reportedly said that he was "drowning" prior to coming back to land.

The trooper took Hartman into custody and he was arrested for the burglary charge. Hartman was also booked for third-degree escape and cited for an angling violation.