Vancouver, Wash. – On August 24, 2022, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Vancouver Police responded to the 6000 block of SE Riverside Drive for the report of suspicious activity. A
resident reported two vehicles, a U-Haul and an inoperable pickup, were parked in front of and in their driveway and two males associated the vehicles were going door to door asking
for gasoline. When officers arrived, one of the males provided a false name and took off running. The male jumped off a 20-foot embankment, ran over the railroad tracks and jumped
into the Columbia River. Due to the cold water temperatures and swift current, Officers quickly notified area emergency marine units and got permission to board a privately owned
boat to get closer to the male until the marine units could arrive. Officers made ongoing attempts to keep the male from swimming farther from shore and from rescue boats. The
male refused multiple offers of a life jacket or the opportunity to board one of the boats. After nearly one hour of negotiation, the male agreed to grab a floatation device, swam close to
shore, and was taken into custody. He was transported by boat to a nearby boat dock for evaluation by medical personnel before being booked into jail.
Joshua D. Rouse, 44, was booked into the Clark County Jail for Criminal Impersonation I.
A search warrant for the U-Haul is pending.
Thanks to the Vancouver Fire Department, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, the Portland Police Bureau and AMR for their assistance during this incident.
Original source can be found here.
