A wanted man led police on a foot chase through Watkins Glen on Wednesday morning before jumping into a canal, where officers had to pull him from freezing waters to make an arrest.
Authorities attempted to apprehend Xavier R. Beach, 24, around 9:15 a.m. after spotting him riding a bicycle near 2nd Street and North Decatur Street. Beach, wanted on a Schuyler County Court warrant for violating probation, abandoned the bicycle and ran behind multiple residences, prompting a coordinated search effort.
Law enforcement agencies, including the Watkins Glen Police Department, Schuyler County Sheriff’s Department, New York State Police, and Schuyler County Probation, responded to the scene. Officers pursued Beach southbound before a patrol officer spotted him near 5th Street and North Porter. Before police could surround him, Beach fled east.
A civilian tip led officers to railroad tracks behind Walmart, where Beach was last seen running toward a swamp. The Watkins Glen Fire Department deployed a drone, which helped locate him near Watkins Glen High School and 12th Street. As police closed in, Beach jumped into the canal in an apparent attempt to escape.
With freezing temperatures sapping his strength, Beach struggled in the water. Officers entered the canal to rescue him before taking him into custody. Emergency responders from Cayuga Health Transport and Watkins Glen Rescue provided medical aid before transporting him to Schuyler Emergency Room for treatment.
Once medically cleared, Beach was booked into Schuyler County Jail without bail and will face his probation violation charge in Schuyler County Court.
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