Showdown at Sea, With a Weird Twist

In an unusual attempt to avoid the handcuffs of Coronado Police Officers, 46 year-old John Michael White chose an alternative route to flee by taking a late night swim in the ocean.

Hotel Del Coronado and Coronado Beach

Late Sunday night around 10 p.m., White was approached by Coronado Officers on the suspicion of an outstanding warrant near Hotel Del Coronado on 1500 Orange Avenue when he decided to “escape.” Instead of speaking to the officers, White ran towards the nearby Coronado Beach and jumped into the ocean.

Initially, White stayed in the shallow parts of the water, but swam farther away as officers attempted to approach him. White’s swim lasted more than seven hours, in which he swam an estimated 2.5 miles towards Silver Strand Beach and swam back towards Hotel Del Coronado.

White’s exhausting journey then ended around 5 a.m. at Coronado Beach. He was later taken to the UC San Diego Medical Center in Hillcrest for a medical evaluation.

Officers believe he was under the influence of drugs.

Read More:

1) ABC10 News: Wanted Man Flees from Police, Jumps into Ocean Water near Coronado

2) NBC San Diego: Suspect Swims for 7 Hours to Evade Arrest