From Bay City News
A fleeing suspect who jumped into the Russian River in Guerneville this afternoon had to be pulled from the water by a helicopter, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said today.
Sheriff's deputies first attempted to detain Dylan James Kopman, a 21-year-old Cazadero resident, around 3 p.m. when they spotted him at Guerneville River Park Plaza. Kopman is wanted on warrants for resisting arrest and for selling prescription medicine, according to Sgt. Ed Hoener.
When the deputies tried to arrest Kopman, however, he allegedly struggled with them and was able to break free and run away.
The suspect fled across the Guerneville foot bridge and down to the edge of the Russian River. When deputies caught up to him, he jumped into the water, Hoener said.
Kopman allegedly swam back and forth across the river multiple times and hid in the brush at the river's edge while deputies attempted to capture him.
After numerous attempts, the sheriff's office helicopter, Henry-1, pulled Kopman from the water by dangling a deputy over the water on a 100-foot rope.
Deputy Scott McKinnon was able to grab Kopman and pull him to the shore, where deputies were able to take him into custody after a struggle, Hoener said.
In addition to the warrants, Kopman was arrested on suspicion of resisting arrest and battery on a peace officer, and booked into Sonoma County Jail.
