Crime & Safety

Robbery Suspect Tries Swimming To Oakland To Escape Police Chase

The suspect was driving a car wanted in connection with a robbery the day before in Alameda, police said.

A robbery suspect jumps into an estuary in Alameda on March 24, 2026.
A robbery suspect jumps into an estuary in Alameda on March 24, 2026. (Alameda Police Department)

ALAMEDA, CA — A robbery suspect was arrested in Alameda on Tuesday, after jumping into an estuary during a pursuit and trying to escape by swimming to Oakland, police said.

The chase began when the California Highway Patrol tried to pull the suspect over after the vehicle he was in matched that of another used in a robbery in Alameda on Monday, police said.

CHP alerted the Alameda Police Department about the suspect, who was shortly after located at the Bridgeside Shopping.

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That's when the suspect got out of the car and ran away toward the estuary, police said.

The suspect jumped in and tried to swim to Oakland to escape, ignoring commands from officers to return to shore, police said.

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But once the suspect saw officers were also waiting for them on the other side in Oakland, he turned back around, police said.

Using a drone, the officers kept track of the suspect's movements, police said.

The suspect, police said, appeared to swim westbound, getting out near the 2200 block of Clement Avenue. He then continued running away from the officers, hopping multiple fences in the process, while hiding in several spots, police said.

"Working in concert, officers on the ground were able to coordinate a plan to safely take the suspect into custody," according to the Alameda Police Department. "The suspect was arrested for multiple outstanding felony warrants, a probation violation, and obstruction."

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