Naked border jumper evades RCMP for hours during ‘float chase’ down BC river

The Washington State man was arrested by officers after two-and-a-half hours of floating down the river on Friday.

Grand Forks RCMP were contacted by Stevens County Sherriff’s at roughly 1 a.m. on Friday July 24 about a stolen vehicle that had made its way into Canada illegally at Port Cascade border which is closed.

Officers had previously attempted to stop the car in Kettle Falls, Washington with a spike belt but the driver continued moving and allegedly drove through the border’s barriers. The suspect then ditched the vehicle and ran away on foot.

The area was patrolled by Grand Forks RCMP who found the car on Highway 3 close to downtown but were unable to locate the suspect.

He was then spotted later that day near where the stolen vehicle was found and RCMP officers tried to arrest him. After resisting the arrest, he jumped into Kettle River to evade the officers and floated for 2.5 hours.

Grand Forks RCMP then received help from Midway RCMP and had officers walk on each side of the river to follow the man. An RCMP officer and some good Samaritans waded into the river at a narrow point and were able to bring the man to the bank. He was then taken into custody.

On July 25, RCMP turned the man over to the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA). CBSA officials are working alongside the Grand Forks RCMP on potential charges falling under the Criminal Code of Canada and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

"This was an exceptional response from many involved including the Grand Forks and Midway officers who tracked the male for 2.5 hours, the Grand Forks Fire Department, BC Emergency Health Services and local search and rescue personnel, says Sergeant Darryl Peppler. We would like to thank the good Samaritans who assisted us in helping to safely escort this male to shore where he could be taken into custody," said RCMP