Search continues for person who jumped into the Appomattox while eluding Hopewell Police

HOPEWELL – The search is on for a fugitive who jumped into the Appomattox River early Tuesday morning after being approached by Hopewell Police.

A water-rescue team from Chesterfield County was back out on the river after daylight near the Hopewell City Marina, Hopewell Police Lt. Jacquita Allen said in a statement. That’s where the unidentified individual ran and jumped into the water shortly after 2 a.m.

Allen said patrol officers were called to check out “suspicious subjects in the area” of the marina on Riverside Drive. One of them, she said, turned out to be wanted on charges in several localities.

When officers approached, the individual ran toward the boat slips and disappeared into the water.

Hopewell Fire & EMS was called to the scene, and a Virginia State Police helicopter was dispatched to search the river, all to no avail.

Chesterfield Fire & Rescue also came out, but that initial search also failed to locate the person. Crews returned to the river later in the morning to continue the search.

Anyone who may know something about the incident is asked to contact Hopewell Police’s criminal investigations unit at (804) 541-2284 or use the P3Tips mobile app.