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Wanted man tries to escape police by jumping into Gorge

A wanted man jumped into the Gorge Waterway to escape police Wednesday afternoon, but was later captured on the shoreline hiding in the bushes. A 49-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested and is scheduled to appear in court this morning.
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At 3 p.m., West Shore RCMP officers spotted the man, who was wanted on several charges, including being unlawfully at large from Kelowna and Vernon.

A wanted man jumped into the Gorge Waterway to escape police Wednesday afternoon, but was later captured on the shoreline hiding in the bushes.

A 49-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested and is scheduled to appear in court this morning.

At 3 p.m., West Shore RCMP officers spotted the man, who was wanted on several charges, including being unlawfully at large from Kelowna and Vernon.

It triggered a massive manhunt in View Royal during rush-hour traffic.

Police tried to talk the man into giving up and returning to shore, but he did not co-operate. He kept walking away in water up to his waist and making comments about hurting himself, police said.

More than 30 members of the West Shore RCMP and Saanich and Victoria police departments helped contain the area. View Royal Fire Department and Saanich Fire Department assisted with their boats.

The man was found about 40 minutes later on the shoreline of Craigowan Road.