Police: Man jumped into Tampa Bay to avoid arrest

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Florida troopers say a man wanted on probation violation charges jumped into Tampa Bay to avoid being arrested.

Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Steve Gaskins says 27-year-old Matthew Clifford Rushing jumped into the water with a backpack filled with cash on Thursday. Rushing had been in a vehicle involved in a minor wreck on the Howard Franklin bridge.

Authorities say Rushing was in the water about 20 minutes before being rescued by law enforcement.

Rushing had been wanted on a warrant out of Manatee County that accused him of violating probation by driving with a suspended license. He was treated at a hospital for cuts and hypothermia and was expected to be booked in the Pinellas County jail later in the day.