A US man suspected of armed robbery evaded police for two weeks by using various modes of travel. Image credit: Spc. Avery Cunningham via U.S Army National Guard
A US man suspected of armed robbery evaded police by using various modes of travel, before finally being arrested two weeks later.
Eric Edson (52) was accused of robbing a store in Burlington, Vermont on 24 August before stealing multiple vehicles during his getaway.
In late August, police responded to a call that there was a man passed out inside of a vehicle matching the description of the one used in the robbery.
Vermont State Police claimed that Edson assaulted two police officers with his vehicle before fleeing the scene.
Later that night, Edson evaded police capture again.
He fled on foot, then stole a bicycle, before making his way to Lake Champlain and stealing a sailboat.
The Coast Guard attempted to intercept Edson but was unsuccessful.
He was also reported to be operating a full-sized tractor and a stolen dump truck in the Fairfax area, according to police.
On 7 September, the police were tipped off that Edson was in a kayak on the northern riverbank of Lamoille River.
Edson landed the kayak and then fled on foot through the woods.
Eventually, police troopers and wardens arrested Edson on the southern shore.
He was taken into custody after receiving a medical evaluation.
“Because of the unusualness of Mr. Edson’s various modes of flight, from cars to bikes to paddle boards to sailboats to tractors, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that Mr. Edson is a dangerous person,” said Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad.
Edson is facing more than a dozen charges.
