Yuba City man fails to evade police with Feather River swim

A Yuba City man who was wanted by police in connection with several felony crimes was taken into custody after a brief pursuit Wednesday that ended with an attempted swim across the Feather River.

John Thomas Robertson, 52, fled from police at about 1:30 p.m. during a routine patrol of transient camps just north of the Fifth Street Bridge in Yuba City, according to Sgt. Brian Bernardis of the Yuba City Police Department.

Criminal warrants on Robertson date to Dec. 21 for vehicle theft, criminal threats, committing a felony while out on bail and violations of probation.

"He got about halfway," Bernardis said of the suspect's failed attempt to cross the river. "But it was way too cold and way too swift, and he was not a skilled enough swimmer."

Police were waiting for him on either side of the river.

"He made it most of the way back to the west-side bank before he completely collapsed," Bernardis said.

Police pulled him out and were treating him for hypothermia.

Police had been on the lookout for Robertson after they received a 911 call for a domestic disturbance earlier in the day on Darrough Drive that involved him, according to Bernardis.

"It was an unusually warm day, which may have clouded his judgment," Bernardis said of the suspect's decision to enter the water. "But that water is a bit too frigid to be swimming."

CONTACT Nancy Pasternack at npasternack@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4781. Find her on Facebook at /ADnpasternack or on Twitter at @ADnpasternack.