Robber Drives Wrong Way On GW Parkway, Plunges In River: Police

ARLINGTON, VA -- A Maryland man faces felony charges after leading police on a chase on the George Washington Parkway before crashing his car into the Potomac River over the weekend, police say.

Police were called to the 2600 block of Columbia Pike at around 5:13 p.m. on Sunday to a report of an armed robbery, according to a report from the Arlington County Police Department.

"A male suspect allegedly entered a business, brandished a firearm, stole an undisclosed amount of cash and personal property from the victims before fleeing the scene," the report states. "A responding officer observed the suspect vehicle and attempted a traffic stop on I-395 North at Boundary Channel. Once the officer exited his vehicle, the suspect fled the scene and a vehicle pursuit was initiated onto northbound George Washington Parkway."

During the chase, the suspect vehicle drove on the pedestrian path, turned around, and than began driving southbound in the northbound lanes, police say.

Police stopped pursuing the vehicle at that point, and the suspect drove toward the Potomac River, exited the vehicle, and then tried to flee the scene on foot as the vehicle careened into the river, according to the report.

"[T]he suspect entered the water and attempted to swim but was subsequently taken into police custody," the report states. "The suspect was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries."

Police charged 33-year-old Freddie Lee McRae of Temple Hills, Md. with robbery, felony eluding, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.