Man's Behavior Called 'Bizarre'

A man's camping trip turned "bizarre" and he went to jail on outstanding warrants after authorities responded Tuesday night to an Old River Road home in Cartersville.

The resident called police to report a man crawling on the ground, talking to himself while pulling up grass and digging in the dirt, according to the incident report.

When authorities arrived, the man jumped in the Etowah River, but emerged after a brief talk with firefighters and the ambulance crew. They identified him as Joseph Michael Pugachow, 28, of Cartersville.

Pugachow said he had been drinking and smoking synthetic marijuana when he became extremely thirsty and went to the home in search of water. He refused medical treatment and was jailed on two outstanding warrants—obstruction and probation violation.