UPDATE: Sledgehammer wielding suspect arrested after running from police, jumping into river, officers say

MIAMISBURG — A man was arrested after police said he destroyed property with a sledgehammer and tried running from police by jumping into the river.

William Hill, 38, was arrested on suspicion of felony obstructing charges and could face other misdemeanor counts, Miamisburg police said.

Officers responded to the call around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday At the intersection of North Min and East Ferry streets.

Police said they “observed a male in jeans with no shift carrying a large sledgehammer. The hammer was swinging as he walked westbound toward the bike path.”

The man was later identified as Hill, who police said they believed was ”under the influence of a stimulating intoxicant, like methamphetamine,” court records read.

Police tried to get Hill into custody, but they said he didn’t comply and told police “I’ll stop if you fight me to the death,” according to an affidavit.

When police approached Hill they said he jumped into the river, where he refused to come out of the water.

The Miami Valley Fire District responded and was able to help get Hill out of the water and into custody in the area of Lower Miamisburg Road and South Riverview Avenue, records show.

”It should be noted that this area received heavy amounts of rainfal in the days leading up to this incident,” police said. “This caused the current in the river (to) be strong and the water to be very murky.”

Hill remained in the Montgomery County Jail Thursday afternoon.

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