A pair of burglary suspects had to be rescued from the Kern River by the person who they were allegedly trying to steal from on Monday morning.

The Bakersfield Police Department said that Ronald Valdovinos, 30, and Shellena Bonales, 34, were attempting to break into a vehicle on Highway 178 at 11:52 a.m. on Monday. When police arrived, the pair fled, first hiding nearing some bushes along the Kern River, before jumping into the river to avoid police.

Bonales was clinging to a tree when she was rescued by the victim of the burglary, who was equipped with a kayak and safety equipment. Valdovinos floated down the river before being rescued by the Bakersfield Fire Department’s Search and Rescue team.

Both Valdovinos and Bonales were later arrested and booked into the Kern County Jail on suspicion of vehicle burglary and resisting arrest. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Bakersfield
Police Department (661) 327-7111.