Man in custody after jumping into Monongahela River to avoid arrest for carjacking, police say

PITTSBURGH — A man is in custody after police said he jumped into the Monongahela River to avoid being arrested in connection to a carjacking on Wednesday evening.

According to Pittsburgh police, officers were called to the Duck Hollow Trail parking area at 7:10 p.m.

Police said a man on a bicycle threatened two males at their vehicle and implied he had a weapon, demanding the keys to the vehicle.

The suspect was later identified as Jaelin Opara, 24. Police believe he is homeless.

When Opara was given the keys, he allegedly left on a bicycle.

Police in the area made contact with Opara before he resisted arrest and jumped into the Monongahela River, according to a police report.

Officers extended a life preserver to Opara, and after he originally refused it, he put it on and allegedly continued swimming farther from shore.

When River Rescue arrived to the scene, Opara began fighting with divers and the Pittsburgh police boat operator. Police put on life preservers and swam out to arrest him.

Opara allegedly took a rescuer’s dive knife off of him while he was being rescued and a paramedic was cut on his hand during the struggle.

He is now in the Allegheny County Jail and faces charges including robbery, aggravated assault and resisting arrest.

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