MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The man who thought he’d swim the Monongahela River in order to elude police is alive.
Thomas Casella of Morgantown is facing possible charges after apparently diving into the river in an effort to elude police who were investigating a domestic dispute this weekend.
“He confessed that he was the one that dove into the water,” said Sgt. E. S. Kennedy of the West Virginia state police. “He successfully made it across the Monongahela River, made it to the other side, and subsequently walked to his residence,”
Casella was located Tuesday morning after an anonymous tip led authorities to his residence. Police were first called to the river early Sunday morning after a report of a domestic dispute. Police arrived to find three people, and then Casella jumped in the river. A search of the water took place Monday.
“There’s charges pending. We’re going to be speaking with the prosecutor here and see what all kind of charges he’s going to be facing at this point,” Kennedy said.
“He had made a remark to me that he was a lifeguard for three years and he was a very strong swimmer and he was able to make it across the river.”