LAKE LURE, N.C.—A wanted Tiki bar cook tried to flee authorities by swimming away in a North Carolina river, but was caught by officers waiting downstream.
On Saturday, July 20, U.S. Marshalls Service alarmed Lake Lure police they launched a manhunt for a man on the run in the area who was considered armed and dangerous.
A Lake Lure Police statement says 38-year-old Jesse Lee Boyd was wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service on warrants accusing him of forgery or counterfeiting in Iowa.
Investigators said they made a plan over the weekend to arrest him at the management office of the Geneva Riverside Tiki Bar.
Authorities say Boyd was warned as he walked to the office and fled on foot before dashing into the Rocky Broad River.
Officers positioned themselves downstream along the banks, and Boyd eventually gave himself up.
“We saw two assault rifles pointed at the man,” Riverside Event Center manager Calyssa Jones said. “You could definitely tell it was a very serious situation,” ABC 13 reported.
An attempt to arrest a man wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service leads to a foot chase & swim…before the arrest https://t.co/GNyHRozpKy pic.twitter.com/nCQxCV0KyW
— WLOS (@WLOS_13) July 23, 2019
“Boyd was taken to the Rutherford County Detention Center where he was booked on several felony charges, 18 felony warrants from Des Moines Iowa for forgery/counterfeiting and other felony warrants from the U.S. Marshalls Office for detainer/fugitive-dangerous drugs. Boyd remains at the detention center with a $250.000 bond,” according to the police statement.
Police said on Monday department officials didn’t know if Boyd has an attorney.
Chief Sean Humphries commented on the incredible planning that took place to keep others at both establishments safe while attempting to capture Boyd, the statement says.
“Sergeant Gittens, Officer Shuford, Officer Lytle, and Officer Sanchez should be commended for this important capture here in our town,” Chief Humphries said.
Crime Statistics in North Carolina
“North Carolina crime statistics indicate a total downward trend in crime based on data from 17 years when violent crime was decreasing and property crime was decreasing,” according to a report on CityRating.com.
Based on the report, the crime rate in North Carolina for 2019 is expected to be lower than it was in 2016 when the state violent crime rate was lower than the national violent crime rate average of 6.26 percent.
The Associated Press and NTD News staff contributed to this article.