DES MOINES, Iowa — Nicolas Shane Hughes, 32, of Des Moines is facing multiple charges after an assault investigation and foot chase led to him jumping into the Des Moines River Tuesday night, the Des Moines Police Department announced Wednesday.
At close to 9:45 p.m. Tuesday, a 31-year-old victim contacted police and reported an assault in the 300 block of W. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway while they were making a food delivery. The victim told police they were kicked which led to a minor injury.
Officers arrived at the scene to find Hughes, who fled and eventually entered the Des Moines River near the area of Market Street and Water Street.
While he stood in the water, officers worked to talk to Hughes and called the Des Moines Fire Department Water Emergency Team for assistance.
About a half hour later, officials said the Water Emergency Team was able to approach Hughes and help him get out of the water. He was treated for cold exposure at a local hospital and then released to DMPD.
DMPD said Hughes is being held at the Polk County Jail on the following charges:
- Assault Causing Injury
- Interference With Official Acts
- Unrelated Drug-Offense Warrants (Multiple counts of Prescription Drug Violation)
