Oregon burglary suspect drives into river in failed getaway attempt

Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Police in Oregon said a burglary suspect was arrested after driving his truck off a pier and into a river while fleeing from officers.

The Astoria Police Department said officers investigating reports of a man trespassing on boats at North Point Tongue on Wednesday arrived on the scene and spotted a Ford F150 registered to Timofey Erofeeff, 27, who was on parole for offenses in Deschutes County.

Officers approached the truck with the intention of taking him into custody, but Erofeeff sped off in the truck and ultimately drove it off a pier and into the Columbia River.

Erofeeff attempted to swim away through the frigid water, but the cold temperatures caused him to turn back after making it a few hundred feet. He was fished out of the water by WTC Marine employees in a skiff.

Police took Erofeeff to a local hospital to be treated for hypothermia. He was later released and booked into the Clatsop County Jail on charges of criminal trespass, parole violation, attempt to elude a police officer, reckless driving and escape.

Erofeeff pleaded not guilty to the charges during a Thursday court appearance. His bail was set at $75,000.

The U.S. Coast Guard's Pacific Northwest division fished the truck out of the river Thursday afternoon. The division posted photos of the crane operation to Twitter.