Man Charged After Arlington Police Chase, Water Rescue: Report

ARLINGTON, VA — A 26-year-old man is facing charges after police said he led authorities on a crash-ridden chase Wednesday following a traffic stop and attempted to elude officers by swimming away in the cold waters near the Pentagon, according to a report.

Bryant R. Mayo was charged with one felony count of eluding law enforcement and one felony charge of leaving the scene of a crash, according to an ABC 7 report citing Virginia State Police.

According to police, the chase started around 1 a.m. Wednesday when a Virginia State Police trooper tried to stop a car in the Crystal City neighborhood of Arlington after noticing it had incorrect license plates. Authorities said the driver didn't stop and sped away.

When the driver headed onto Interstate 395 North, police tried to stop the car as it traveled on the right shoulder. Instead, the driver struck a Virginia State Police car, causing both vehicles to spin around and collide a second time, police said.

The driver and passenger in the car then got out and fled the scene on foot, police said.

Shortly before 2 a.m. Wednesday, the two suspects were spotted hiding near Roaches Run, police said. As Virginia State Police troopers approached them, authorities said the suspects jumped into the water and began swimming across Roaches Run toward the George Washington Memorial Parkway.

Arlington County Fire and Rescue deployed its water rescue team, and the two suspects were found and taken into custody without further incident, police said. They were both taken to a nearby hospital for treatment for exposure.

Charges are pending against the other suspect, police said.