A Vestal man is facing over a dozen felony charges and four misdemeanor counts after Vestal Police say they had to fish him out of the Susquehanna River.

Officials say 23 year old David Decker was wanted on the felony counts when police tried to apprehend him at 4:20 p.m. July 20 near the Four Corners area.  Police say he rode off on a bicycle to the Rail Trail then to Endicott where another officer tried to apprehend him before he dove into the river.

Vestal Police say as Decker swam toward Vestal, an officer saw Decker go under the water several times and appeared to be in distress.

Vestal Police Officer William Serkiz went into the river and swam toward Decker before a rescue rope was thrown to Decker by New York State Police and he was brought to shore.

Decker is charged with six felony counts each of identity theft and forgery, a felony count of grand larceny as well as misdemeanor petit larceny, criminal impersonation and resisting arrest.

Officials say the identity theft, forgery and grand larceny charges come from an investigation where Decker is accused of stealing and using his father’s store charge and credit cards without permission.

 

 

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