Bend fugitive takes canal swim, still caught

Bend police found a transient wanted by his probation officer and put him in handcuffs – but before officers could take him away, he ran and jumped head-first into a nearby irrigation canal, floated downstream a bit, stood up, got out and ran again, but was found hiding behind a tree, officers said.

The incident began shortly before 1 p.m. Tuesday as officers investigated a domestic dispute in the 1200 block of SW Silver Lake Boulevard, said Lt. Nick Parker.

Officers soon learned one of the people involved was Joshua Alan Seeley, 25, who left before police arrived, Parker said.

Police found Seeley by a canal near Fred Meyer on S. Highway 97. Parker said he initially denied he was Seeley and was placed in handcuffs, but not in a patrol car as the investigation and interviews continued.

But Seeley ran from officers and jumped head-first into the canal, Parker said. He floated down the canal toward the Third Street Bridge, where he was able to gain his footing and stand up.

Seeley then ran from the canal and hid behind a tree east of the intersection at SE Third Street and Brosterhous Road, Parker said.

Officers followed Seeley and arrested him without further incident. He was taken to the Deschutes County Jail, where he remained held without bail Thursday on a parole violation charge, as well as charges of third-degree escape, interfering with a police officer and giving false information to police. Bail on the escape charge was $10,000.

Parker said no charges were brought related to the original domestic dispute Seeley was involved in.