The Avenue turned into the setting for a police drama Wednesday, as a student ran through the campus dining facility with a police officer on his heels.
Police originally stopped the student for skateboarding on campus, University Police Department (UPD) Chief Bill Watton said. The student allegedly gave the officer false information, and when the officer grew suspicious, the student reportedly fled, Watton said.
“He would have just gotten a citation had he just remained there,” Watton said.
The officer proceeded to chase the student through The Avenue and past The Sandwich Factory, where he was apprehended and arrested by UPD, Watton said.
The chase was one of the most exciting things to happen in The Avenue in a long time, said agribusiness junior Krysten Cholewinski, who was eating there when it happened. The entire dining area stopped to watch for a moment, Cholewinski said.
“It was pretty entertaining though; felt like we were on an episode of CSI,” Cholewinski said.
The dramatic chase also provided a short break from the typical commotion in The Avenue, said engineering junior Andrea Zimkowski, who was studying at the time.
“The whole entire Avenue went quiet and was just watching,” Zimkowski said.
The officer was about five yards behind the student as they ran through The Avenue, Zimkowski said.
By the time the two were outside, the officer was catching up, said biological sciences sophomore Jesse McWhirk, who was sitting outside Metro Station during the chase.
“I saw them sprinting around the corner of Sandwich Factory and the cop was close behind and he said, ‘You’re making this tougher on yourself,’” McWhirk said.
The student’s alleged false information and reported flight have indeed made his consequences graver, Watton said.
Giving false information and resisting arrest are both misdemeanors. After the student was arrested he was taken to San Luis Obispo County Jail. If convicted, the student may have to pay fines and serve some extra time in jail, Watton said.
He is also still receiving a citation for the skateboarding, Watton said.
“He’ll still have to answer for the skateboarding,” Watton said.