Marina 200 thief takes swim trying to avoid police

A man walks his dog along the entrance to Marina 200 on Thursday, May 21, 2020. A thief caught rummaging through a boat at the marina dove into the St. Lawrence River to try and get away from police officers. He was unsuccessful. (Newswatch Group/Bill Kingston)

CORNWALL – A teenage thief took a swim in the St. Lawrence River early this morning (Thursday) trying to escape Cornwall police officers.

Cornwall Police Service spokesman Stephanie MacRae told Cornwall Newswatch there was a break-in to a boat at Marina 200 around 4:30 a.m. and items had been taken from the vessel.

When officers arrived on scene, the boy jumped into the St. Lawrence River, trying to make a getaway.

Cornwall Fire Services was initially called for a water rescue but was called off after the police were able to catch the young person and arrest him.

MacRae updated Newswatch on Friday morning, saying that the youth was taken into custody after he came out of the water and officers didn’t have to go into the water to get him.

The 15-year-old from Long Sault is charged with break and enter, five counts of failing to keep the peace, possession of a weapon (what police are calling “two edged objects”) and failing to abide by a curfew.

The youth, whose identity is protected because he’s a minor, was later released with a promise to appear in a court.