Man drives into ocean to escape police in Australia

A suspect being chased by Perth police drove his allegedly stolen vehicle into the Indian Ocean after an nearly two-hour chase, local media reported.

Crews later followed the SUV by air as it left the roadways and began driving on the shore.

Several police cars and a police plane were chasing the man in the auto, which was thought to have been stolen, before he took the drastic action.

Police watched from the beach as he climbed out the window as it was swamped by waves.

Two officers went into the surge to apprehend him and pulled him from the ocean to make the arrest.

The four-wheel drive was later towed out of the sea by police.

“Looking back now, it was probably a bit risky, but at the time we were just concerned about his welfare”, said officer Matthew Bruse, according to NBC News’ Australian partner Channel 7.

When a wave broke, he lost his grip on the vehicle and floated closer to shore, where the officers were finally able to grab him.