Suspect Jumps in Freezing Water to Hide from Police

When wanted 31-year-old Brandon Fitzgibbon leapt into the lake Sunday to hide out from the cops, he'd already been clearly identified. 

San Angelo Lake and Park Police Officers were dispatched to a residence in the 2800 block of Red Bluff Road Sunday for the report of a wanted suspect at the location.

While enroute to the residence, Officer E. Underwood verified the wanted subject’s information and existence of two outstanding felony warrants for burglary and possession of a controlled substance.  Upon arrival, Officer Underwood observed a male standing at the front door of the residence.  When Officer Underwood approached the subject, the subject walked around to the backyard of the residence and towards the water’s edge. 

Rather than give up after having been spotted, the subject failed to comply with Officer Underwood’s commands to stop and continued walking through neighboring yards before breaking into a run northbound toward Red Bluff Ramp.  A perimeter was quickly established and SAPD K9 Teams were called to the scene to assist with the search. 

Shortly after the search began, K9 Officer J. Fincher and Police Service Dog Fritz located the suspect in the water, hiding under a dock behind a residence in the 2700 block of Red Bluff Rd.  The suspect, who was shivering due to the water temperature, was removed from the water and placed into custody.  His identity was confirmed to be wanted person Brandon Fitzgibbon (DOB 03-31-72) of San Angelo.

Police requested San Angelo Fire Department medics to the scene to check Fitzgibbon for injury due to exposure.  Fitzgibbon refused medical transport.  He was transported to the Tom Green County Jail and charged with his outstanding county warrants and evading arrest.