A 42-year-old Clarkston man drove, ran and swam in an attempt to elude police from several agencies on May 11.
The suspect then refused to cooperate when deputies pulled him ashore, according to Oakland County Sheriff reports, requiring three hits with a taser before he was placed in handcuffs.
The suspect’s actions were to avoid outstanding warrants from Auburn Hills. Information on formal charges and arraignment were not immediately available.
After a pursuit which began in Pontiac and continued through Waterford, deputies from the Independence Township substation picked up the chase on northbound Dixie Highway.
Command officers ordered the chase aborted, but the suspect was seen a short time later driving erratically in the parking lot at the Dixie Highway Farmer Jack store.
The chase resumed on northbound White Lake Road to Holcomb, turning east on Washington, and finally crossing Main Street.
Near the street’s end, reports said, the suspect abandoned his vehicle, ran toward Parke Lake and jumped in the water.
Deputies found a rowboat and went out to rescue the suspect, who apparently slowed considerably in the cold water. He held onto the boat as deputies rowed back to shore, but then resisted efforts to take him into custody.
Deputies applied three direct (‘open hand?) taser stuns before the man would cooperate, reports said. After treatment on scene by Independence Township Fire Department paramedics, the man was turned over to Auburn Hills police.
Reports did not indicate whether the suspect was influenced by alcohol or drugs.
Lt. Dale LaBair, commander of the Independence Township sheriff substation, later said the outstanding warrants included nothing which helped deputies understand the reason for the extreme measures taken to elude police.