Man Covered In Blood Runs From Police, Kayaks To Random Boat In OC

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — A 22-year-old San Diego man was arrested in south Orange County Sunday after he reportedly led police on a vehicle pursuit that started in Irvine and continued when he jumped in a kayak and rowed to a random boat in Newport Beach Harbor.

Irvine police were dispatched at about 7 a.m. to a vehicle near Rockefeller and Jamboree Road in reference to a man who appeared to have blood on him, according to The Orange County Register.

Upon arrival, the suspect jumped in the vehicle and drove away, the Irvine Police Department reported.

Police then chased the suspect into nearby Newport Beach, where the suspect jumped out of the vehicle and into a kayak near the harbor and rowed to a boat in the marina, police said.

Members of the Orange County Sheriff's Department Harbor Patrol joined Irvine police and began to negotiate a surrender. The suspect eventually surrendered and was taken to a hospital.

Irvine Police Department spokesman Kyle Oldoerp told City News Service that he sustained self-inflicted wounds from a razor blade, which he threw into the harbor prior to his arrest.

Police told The OC Register that the man was likely experiencing a mental health crisis.

After being released from the hospital, the suspect would likely be facing felony evading charges, Oldoerp said.

City News Service contributed to this report.