Transient Doesn't Want To Be Saved, Swims Away From Rescue Crews

GARDEN GROVE, CA —A transient exhibiting bizarre behavior jumped into the lake at Haster Basin Recreational Park Wednesday morning and needed emergency help to get out, officials said. Officers later discovered that he was the subject of several arrest warrants, a police lieutenant reported.

Police, already at the park on the 12000 block of Lampson Avenue on an unrelated investigation, saw a group of homeless men near a gazebo, said Garden Grove police Lt. Carl Whitney.

When the police officers went to go talk to him to see if he wanted help, "he jumped in the water and went for a swim," Whitney said.

As the officers approached the group, one of the men ran and jumped a fence before leaping into a vast flood basin in the park to swim away, he said.

Officers saw the man was having trouble swimming and lost sight of him momentarily.

"With rain beginning to fall and in light of the frigid water temperature, they called for help," Whitney said.

An Orange County sheriff's helicopter located the suspect hiding near shrubs along the shoreline, and firefighters helped the suspect out of the water.

The subject was identified as 31-year-old Jason James Harvey, a transient wanted on several arrest warrants for grand theft, burglary and being under the influence of drugs, Whitney said.

Harvey was booked on suspicion of running from police and trespassing.