WATCH: Driver leaps into ocean to avoid cops

North Carolina - A man was arrested for attempting to escape authorities at a roadblock. The suspect fled on foot and was caught swimming in the ocean.

A roadblock was conducted where the suspect was stopped. North Carolina officers report that the driver was in possession of illegal contraband in his vehicle.

The Surf City Police department posted on its Facebook account: "On August 30, 2017 at approximately 4:15pm, officers initiated a traffic stop in the 500 block of North Shore Drive. Upon making contact with the driver, officers observed illegal contraband within the passenger area of the vehicle.

"The driver, identified as Zachary Kingsbury, 20 years old of 6105 108th St SE, Linwood, Washington, was asked to step out of the vehicle. Upon interviewing Kingsbury, he fled the scene on foot onto the beach, proceeding into the ocean in an attempt to flee pursuing officers.

Surf City Police Department deployed an Unmanned Ariel System (Drone) to the scene to maintain visual contact with Kingsbury.

"After 60 minutes of flight time, Kingsbury was over 4000 feet offshore and visual contact was lost. At that point, the operation became a rescue operation. Pender EMS and Fire Marine unit was dispatched, along with US Coast Guard Marine and Air assets to the scene. In addition, Surf City Fire Department and North Topsail Beach Police Department also aided in the operation."

WBTV says the fleeing driver encountered a shark... 

VIDEO: Shark spotted swimming near man trying to elude police» https://t.co/DphJw9PbvE pic.twitter.com/7nOtgubRBS

— WBTV News (@WBTV_News) August 31, 2017

Arrested

The suspect was eventually taken into custody.

The Surf City Police department added: "After extensive search by first responders, Kingsbury was taken into custody around 7:45pm near Wicker Avenue Beach Access in North Topsail Beach. He was arrested and transported to the Pender County Jail for processing."

"While this incident quickly transformed many times, all of the first responders worked well together and brought the incident to a quick close."