A Schuylkill County man is a felony fleeing charge after he reportedly swam across two ponds to get away from police.
On Sunday afternoon, police in East Union Township say they spotted Joseph Pagnotti III getting into a Volvo SUV at the Sheppton Gas Station. Police say they knew there was an active warrant for Pagnotti’s arrest so they attempted to conduct a traffic stop along Schoolhouse Rd.
Pagnotti pulled over and opened the door to his vehicle. Police warned Pagnotti to stay in his vehicle and he obliged. However, Pagnotti then reportedly closed the door to his vehicle and sped off with police following on Schoolhouse Rd.
Police say they went around Pagnotti’s vehicle and blocked the road. Pagnotti then reportedly got out of his vehicle and ran away, jumping into a pond.
He then swam to the other side of the pond, got out and ran into the woods. Police called for backup and a search of the wooded area where Pagnotti allegedly ran was initiated.
Pagnotti was reportedly spotted during the search, along the bank of another pond. He jumped in that pond and swam away once again. Police say he swam around the pond to avoid being captured, eventually finding a spot to exit and run away.
When he’s arraigned, he’ll be facing additional misdemeanor charges of flight to avoid apprehension and evading police on foot.
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