A New York City man wanted on an immigration removal order is jailed without bail in Schuylkill County after police say he fled a traffic stop, led officers on a foot pursuit, and pulled an officer underwater during a struggle in the Schuylkill River.
Yensy Santana Alvarez, 34, faces felony counts of aggravated assault and flight to avoid apprehension, along with misdemeanor charges for resisting arrest and recklessly endangering another person.
The incident began at about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday in Schuylkill Haven when police and an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent stopped Santana Alvarez’s Toyota Prius on Route 61 North for heavily tinted windows, police say. Because Santana Alvarez did not speak English, the ICE agent conducted a records check, revealing an immigration judge had issued a final order of removal, police say.
When Santana Alvarez was told to step out of the vehicle to be taken into custody, he fled on foot across the highway and into a wooded area, police say.
During the pursuit, the lead officer fell and struck his face on a branch, causing a laceration, police say. An officer also deployed a Taser and struck Santana Alvarez in the leg, but he removed the probe and kept running, police say.
After briefly losing sight of him, police say they spotted Santana Alvarez near railroad tracks. Police say he then threw himself down a hill and into the Schuylkill River as officers approached.
When police entered the water, Santana Alvarez actively resisted and briefly pulled an officer completely underwater, police say. He continued fighting until an officer secured his arm using a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu hold, allowing another officer to apply handcuffs.
Santana Alvarez was evaluated at a local hospital for injuries sustained in the woods and river before being committed to the Schuylkill County Prison, police say. The officer who fell during the chase required stitches to his face, and multiple other officers sustained scratches and minor injuries. Santana Alvarez is being held without bail on the local charges. A preliminary hearing before Senior Magisterial District Judge Casimir Kosciolek is scheduled for Tuesday.
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