Dash cam video shows man trying to hijack a car before he runs into a lake and is arrested
Published at | Updated at
COEUR D’ALENE — A Washington man was arrested with water up to his neck in a lake after he allegedly refused to stop for police and tried to hijack a vehicle.
Idaho State Police dash camera footage obtained by EastIdahoNews.com shows what happened moments before the man ran into the lake and was taken into custody.
The incident unfolded Tuesday along U.S. Highway 95 Cocolalla Lake north of Coeur d’Alene as 44-year-old Jacob Gopal Cunningham allegedly ran from troopers. Cunningham tried to open the driver’s side door of a black Jeep stopped on the highway’s shoulder.
“The driver of the Jeep attempted to drive off, but the suspect held onto a lowered window,” ISP said in a news release. “The trooper witnessed the Jeep stop again, the suspect let go and continued to run. Troopers are hoping to find the driver of the Jeep.”
ISP says the ordeal began around 4:15 p.m. when people began calling 911 to report a reckless driver who was forcing others off the road on a highway. The person was driving a 2004 white Lexus and was reportedly driving into oncoming traffic.
A trooper spotted the driver of the Lexus going north on the highway at least 20 mph above the 55 mph speed limit, according to police. Troopers tried to stop the car, but police say Cunningham accelerated, kept driving recklessly and passed in no-passing zones.
ISP lost sight of the vehicle as it turned into a neighborhood. About an hour after the first call, ISP spotted Cunningham at a gas pump. As soon as a trooper tried talking with him, he allegedly jumped back into the car, drove off and hit the trooper’s vehicle.
The trooper followed Cunningham before he jumped out and tried to get into the Jeep. Troopers deployed a Taser, but the man continued running into the lake.
With Cunningham neck-deep in water, more troopers and two Bonner County Deputies arrived. A trooper went into the water and brought Cunningham to shore. He was booked into the Bonner County Jail on felony charges of possession of stolen property, possession of meth and introduction of contraband into jail. He was also booked on misdemeanor charges of possession of an open container, possession of drug paraphilia, resisting arrest and driving without privileges.
ISP discovered Cunningham had two Washington warrants and learned the Lexas had been reported as stolen in Washington. Inside the car, troopers found two bottles of alcohol and stolen tools.
Anyone who may know the driver of the Jeep is asked to call ISP at (208) 209-8620.