Suspected Burglar Tries To Escape By Row Boat

A man suspected of breaking into a Day Island home Monday tried to buck the trend of fast getaway cars and high-speed chases.

Instead the man hoped his arms and shoulders could row him to freedom. Unfortunately for him, the man found out brawn alone isn't enough to elude police.

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University Place Police got a call about 1:30 p.m. Monday from a neighbor who spotted a person inside a house in the 2400 block of Day Island Boulevard West.

Chief Mike Blair says the suspect, after being confronted, tried to escape in his yellow Dodge Neon. He drove through the victim's fence, rammed the detached garage and the witness' vehicle.

The man drove more than 50 miles per hour up the narrow boulevard and rammed another car before ditching it and fleeing on foot, Blair said. He then ran to a nearby house, where he stole a rowboat and navigated less than a mile north to the Tacoma Outboard Assocation at Titlow Park.

University Place deputies located the suspect "climbing out of the water" and took him into custody.

The suspect - who is from Roy - allegedly ransacked the victim's house and placed items by the door, most likely intending to load them into his car before he was confronted, Blair said.

The suspect has been convicted of multiple felonies, including burglary. He is being held in Pierce County Jail.

Check back later for updates to this story.