South Florida Man Drowns While Trying To Hide From Police

BOYNTON BEACH, FL — A 21-year-old Florida man drowned in a retention pond Thursday as he tried to hide from police. The pond is located behind the Canterbury community off High Ridge Road.

"Boynton Beach Fire Rescue’s Dive Team recovered the body of Tariq Bailey of Boynton Beach from the pond at around 10:30 a.m.," explained Stephanie Slater of the Boynton Beach Police Department.

Slater said Bailey and another man were suspected of attempting to break into vehicles in a parking lot along Quantum Lakes Drive.

"It was learned that at least two cars had been entered and rummaged through," she said. When police spotted the pair, they took off running, according to Slater.

"Officers attempted to make contact with them, but the suspects took off running, jumping a fence into the Canterbury neighborhood," she said. "Officers ran after the suspects, who jumped another fence near Northwest 7th Street into a densely wooded area."

Police eventually lost sight of the men around the Quantum Town Centre and requested a chopper from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office as well as ground units from neighboring Delray Beach .

Boynton Beach Police called off the search shortly before 5 a.m.

"Just before 8 a.m., Boynton Beach Police Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call about a possible drowning in a retention pond behind the Canterbury community off of High Ridge Road," Slater explained.

"Ayrton Errol Clouden Jr., 20, of Boynton Beach told detectives that he and Bailey went into the pond and hid from officers following the vehicle burglaries," Slater said. "Clouden said he got out of the water, however, Bailey went under and failed to resurface."

Clouden was charged with burglary to a conveyance and taken to the Palm Beach County Jail.

"Our thoughts are with Mr. Bailey’s family during this difficult time," added Slater. "The department requested the South County Mental Health Mobile Crisis Unit to respond to assist his family."