An alleged car thief saved himself from a potentially painful doggy paddle by surrendering after a pursuit that resulted in him hiding in a retention pond near the Multicare Covington Medical Center.

Covington Police pursued and recovered a stolen vehicle at around 6:40 a.m. on Dec. 21. Police said the 39-year-old male who gave a Maple Valley address, fled in the vehicle and then on foot before being caught in the water.

Covington Police Chief Kevin Klason said officers initially tracked a different stolen vehicle using the LoJack recovery system to a cul-de-sac in Covington. As officers worked to recover the abandoned car, another vehicle, which did not have license plates, turned into the area and then sped away, Klason said. An officer pursued the vehicle for less than two miles, according to Klason, before the suspect bailed out of the vehicle.

Klason said officers navigated construction fences around the medical center, as the K-9 office led them to the pond. The suspect gave up as police approached and announced the K-9 would be let loose.

“The guy stood up and was very, very cold and wet,” Klason said.

Klason said police found other potentially stolen items in the vehicle, as well as shaved keys potentially used to steal cars. Klason said the man has prior felony convictions.