Eugene Man Tries to Escape Police by Jumping Into Willamette River

After a brief period in the water, the suspect said he was drowning and returned back to shore

25-year-old Coty Wayne Hartman, from Eugene. Photo Courtesy: Lane County Jail

(EUGENE, Ore. ) - A Eugene man wanted on a felony warrant was arrested by Oregon State Police after he tried escaping by running and then jumping into the Willamette River near Valley River Center.

His escape attempt came to an end when he realized he was going to drown if he stayed in the water, so he came back to shore where the trooper was waiting.

On Saturday, at approximately 12:25 p.m., an OSP Fish & Wildlife trooper was checking anglers along the Willamette River near the Beltline Bridge.

The trooper contacted 25-year-old Coty Wayne Hartman, from Eugene, who was committing an angling violation. After walking Hartman back to the OSP pickup to issue a citation, the trooper learned Hartman was wanted on a felony warrant out of Lane County for Burglary in the First Degree.

After the trooper told Hartman he was under arrest, Hartman ran on the bike path with the trooper in foot pursuit. Running about a quarter mile, Harman then jumped into the Willamette River to try and swim away.

After a brief period in the water, Hartman said he was drowning and returned back to shore where he was taken into custody without further incident.

Hartman was lodged in the Lane County Jail on the warrant and cited to appear for Escape in the Third Degree and an angling violation.

Source: Oregon State Police