BELLINGHAM, Wash. – A burglary and assault suspect jumped into Sunset Pond in north Bellingham in an attempt to get away from police.
Bellingham Police say officers were pursuing 44-year-old Ryan J. Ash on Thursday, March 4th, after witnesses said he assaulted several people and damaged an RV behind the Goodwill store.
He jumped into the nearby pond and swam away from officers and fire fighters who arrived with a boat.
A BPD K-9 Rudy located him in blackberry bushes near the shore and the cold eventually drove Ash out of the water.
He fought with officers but was arrested on assault and burglary charges.
No officers were injured but K-9 Rudy did pull his partner into the pond.