A suspected car thief tried escaping from police by jumping into the Gorge Waterway and swimming for freedom early Thursday morning.

Victoria police K9 officer Const. Sue McLeod located a stolen car in the Rock Bay area. Before an arrest could be made, the vehicle fled from the scene and was later found abandoned at Hillside Avenue and Turner Street, also in Rock Bay.

Two suspects fled on foot, but were tracked by McLeod and her police dog to the Bay Street Bridge.

"A female suspect was arrested on the bridge crossing," said Const. Andre Almeida, with the department's K9 unit, "and a male suspect had jumped in the (Gorge Waterway) and was trying to swim across.

The water-logged man was arrested in the 2500-block of Pleasant St. around 1:30 a.m.

A 25-year-old Saanich man, who is scheduled to appear in court today (May 10), is facing charges of possession of stolen property, flight from a peace officer and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

emccracken@vicnews.com