Local

Man running away from Nassau deputies dives into thick marsh

A man led Nassau County deputies on a chase that ended with a search in a marsh.

The boat ramp at Holly Point became an impromptu staging area for law enforcement looking for the suspect Thursday afternoon.

"I heard sirens coming around the corner, then I saw two to three police cars," said Shelly Simpson, who lives nearby.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Nassau County firefighters and Nassau County deputies organized a water search for the suspect.

“One of our traffic units tried to stop a motorcycle for a traffic violation and a short pursuit ensued; the driver of the motorcycle bailed off,” said Lt. John Slebos.

Slebos said the driver was being pulled over for speeding and a registration violation.

The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office asked Sky Action News Jax to help deputies find him.

“We also had the assistance of your news helicopter in searching the area. We found signs where he had been but nothing where he’s currently at,” Slebos said.

The thick marsh goes on for miles.

“It’s dangerous out there; you could easily get bogged down in the mud. You could dehydrate pretty quickly,” Slebos said.

Simpson said neighbors are making sure to keep their doors locked just in case.

Everybody in the area is tense, since "they didn’t know (if the suspect is an) escaped convict or what it was, you know?,” Simpson said.

The motorcycle the man was driving was left on the side of the road and was eventually hauled off on a wrecker.