Kiski Township police say they arrested a man wanted on multiple warrants after he fled from a traffic stop and then tried to avoid being captured by swimming across a river.

David Wayne Siford, 41, of the 100 block of Washington Avenue in Vandergrift, was charged with two felony counts of fleeing from police along with counts of driving while intoxicated and failing to appear for a court proceeding.

Siford was being detained in the Armstrong County Jail in lieu of a $50,000 cash bond, according to court records. He faces a preliminary hearing on the charges before District Judge James Andring on Thursday, Nov. 3.

A Vandergrift officer wrote in Siford’s arrest papers that he was patrolling in an unmarked vehicle shortly after 1 a.m. Saturday when he spotted a silver Ford Focus with a burned-out license plate bulb turning onto River Road.

When the officer turned on his police lights and siren to try to pull him over, the driver took off at a high rate of speed, the complaint said.

Police chased the vehicle toward the Kiski River, where Siford stopped near the boat launch under the Vandergrift Bridge and ran into the water, according to the complaint.

After checking to make sure there were no other people in the vehicle, the officer called for backup and then held Siford at gunpoint.

Still in the water, he refused orders to surrender, police said.

Officers from nearby departments were dispatched to the scene and were waiting on both sides of the river, but Siford continued to ignore their commands and continued to tread water, the complaint said.

A water rescue team was called when police noticed Siford was beginning to struggle to stay afloat, the complaint said.

After about 20 minutes, he swam to shore and was taken into custody, police said.

Officers had to cut off Siford’s clothing because he was suffering from hypothermia, the complaint said. He was transported to Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison for treatment and to have blood drawn to determine whether he had alcohol or drugs in his system, authorities said.

Police said Siford was wanted on felony warrants from the Armstrong County District Attorney’s Office and the county’s probation office, the complaint said.

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