(UNION CITY) – A suspect is in custody following an incident in Union City.

At 1:42 AM Thursday Union City Police Officer Joe Wheeler responded to a report of a man causing a disturbance on Summit Street. When Wheeler arrived, the suspect, a 21 year old man from East Leroy, refused to identify himself and became combative as Wheeler attempted to take him into custody.

The suspect ran away with Wheeler pursuing him. The man jumped into the St. Joseph River, trying to get away. Police searched for the suspect, but couldn’t find him.

At 6:50 AM, the suspect resurfaced and approached nearby residents and businesses. He was taken into custody without any further incident.

The subject is being held in the Branch County Jail on a charge of probation violation. Additional charges are pending. Wheeler was not injured, but did sustain damage to his uniform and equipment during the altercation.

Assisting the Union City Police were the Branch County Sheriff’s Office, the Michigan State Police, the Coldwater Police Department K-9 Officer, the Marshall Police Department and the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Police Department.