Kent burglary suspect jumps into Lake Meridian in attempt to flee

A 31-year-old Kent man jumped into Lake Meridian as part of an attempt to escape from Kent Police officers chasing him because of a reported burglary of tools from a nearby garage.

The man found a dock to get out of the lake and ran through several backyards before officers caught him, according to a March 20 Kent Police Facebook post. Officers arrested the man for investigation of burglary and attempted theft.

Just after 1 p.m. March 17, officers received a report about a man who reportedly broke into a garage in the Lake Meridian community on the East Hill and loaded up a cart of about $1,200 worth of tools and other items. He tried to walk off with the items.

Officers arrived and began looking for the man. An officer found the cart of tools a short distance from the garage, abandoned by the man, according to police. Another neighbor a few doors down called 911 to report a man trying to steal a boat tied up to their private dock, apparently the same man who had taken the tools.

The man had trouble untying the rope knots and homeowners came out to yell at him and take photos. The King County Sheriff’s Office Guardian One helicopter flew above looking for the man.

With nowhere to run, the man jumped into the lake and tried to swim away, according to police. A short while later, he exited the cold water and onto a dock and attempted to run away.

Neighbors called 911 to report which fences the man was jumping. Two officers followed the path of the 911 calls, while others responded to the locations where he was most likely to emerge, according to police. The man was spotted on the street, very wet, very cold and missing his shirt. He was not immediately cooperative but was eventually taken into custody by officers without further incident.