After nearly one hour of negotiation, the male suspect agreed to grab a floatation device and was taken into custody
VANCOUVER – A 44-year-old man was rescued after jumping into the Columbia River Wednesday evening.
On Wednesday (Aug. 24) at about 6:30 p.m., Vancouver Police responded to the 6000 block of SE Riverside Drive for the report of suspicious activity. A resident reported two vehicles, a U-Haul and an inoperable pickup, were parked in front of and in their driveway and two males associated with the vehicles were going door to door asking for gasoline.
When officers arrived, one of the males provided a false name and took off running. The male jumped off a 20-foot embankment, ran over the railroad tracks and jumped into the Columbia River.
Due to the cold water temperatures and swift current, officers quickly notified area emergency marine units and got permission to board a privately owned boat to get closer to the male until the marine units could arrive.
Officers made ongoing attempts to keep the male from swimming farther from shore and from rescue boats. The male refused multiple offers of a life jacket or the opportunity to board one of the boats.
After nearly one hour of negotiation, the male agreed to grab a floatation device, swam close to shore, and was taken into custody. He was transported by boat to a nearby boat dock for evaluation by medical personnel before being booked into jail.
Joshua D. Rouse, 44, was booked into the Clark County Jail for Criminal Impersonation I.
Follow up on the status of the U-Haul is underway and a search warrant is pending.
Vancouver Police Department officials offered thanks to the Vancouver Fire Department, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, the Portland Police Bureau and AMR for their assistance during this incident.
Information provided by the Vancouver Police Department.
Also read:
- Washougal High School students restoring native habitat on campus
Students in the Washougal High School Green Team are restoring the campus courtyard into a native habitat learning space with support from local grants and community partners. - Letter: ‘HSD needs to give a detailed line-item accounting of where the last levy went, and of how they plan to use this one’
Randall Schultz-Rathbun urges Hockinson School District to provide detailed, transparent accounting of past and proposed levy spending before asking voters for additional funds. - Rep. David Stuebe sponsors bill to strengthen enforcement of auto insurance laws and protect Washington drivers
Rep. David Stuebe has introduced HB 2308, a bill aimed at strengthening enforcement of Washington’s auto insurance laws and increasing accountability for repeat uninsured drivers. - See Brush Strokes In Motion this week at RedDoor Gallery in Camas
RedDoor Gallery in Camas is hosting multiple live art demonstrations through January, featuring local and regional artists working in paint, clay, and mixed media. - Letter: Interstate Bridge Replacement’s Park & Ride insanity
Bob Ortblad criticizes the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program’s proposed Park & Ride garages, arguing the costs are excessive and unlikely to receive federal funding. - Opinion: Vancouver councilors responsible for stoking irrational fears in the community
Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance sharply criticizes a Vancouver City Council declaration on immigration enforcement, arguing it fuels fear, undermines law enforcement, and lacks supporting evidence. - Kaiser Permanente employees volunteer at Clark County Food Bank on MLK Jr. Day
Kaiser Permanente employees volunteered at the Clark County Food Bank on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, inspecting and repacking food as part of a regional day of service.
