Man Ran From Cops, Fell Through Ice and Had To Be Rescued

A man is facing charges after a breaking and entering call led to a foot pursuit and a rescue mission on the Mystic River in Massachusetts.

Police say they were called to a home on Saturday afternoon in Arlington for a report of a breaking and entering in process.

A homeowner reported arriving home with their children to find their window kitchen window open and seeing a man, identified as 30-year-old Joseph Kahler of Weymouth, walking through the yard to a U-Haul truck parked on the street.

Officers spotted the U-Haul and began to follow the vehicle. The vehicle soon stopped on a nearby street, which was when Kahler and a woman who was riding in the truck jumped and ran.

The woman was quickly taken into custody. Officers continued to search for Kahler, who bystanders reported to police was walking along the banks of the Mystic River.

Witnesses told WCVB that Kahler ran under a bridge and onto the ice. Officers, along with Arlington Police K-9 Eiko, went under the bridge and ordered him back to shore.

Kahler again began to run again, onto River Street before heading back onto the icy river. That's when he fell through the ice and into the water, along with K-9 Eiko.

Eiko was called and swam back to shore. Kahler was able to stand in the freezing water but refused to grab a safety line that officers had thrown to him. Eventually, an officer was able to reach Kahler and pull him from the water.

Police learned that not only had he broken into the home and stole multiple items (which were found in a duffel bag), but the U-Haul was allegedly stolen and officers found a substance believed to be heroin in the truck.

Kahler has been charged with breaking and entering in the daytime, resisting arrest, failure to stop for a police officer, and possession of a Class C substance.

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