TOWN OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) - The man who evaded police with very little on, is now behind bars. The exact place he did not want to end up.

Mark Pannell of Buffalo tried to hide from our camera as he left Grand Island Court Sunday morning. Police say he spent all of Saturday hiding from them.

It was a full-fledged manhunt for the 27-year-old- involving the border patrol helicopter, Erie and Niagara County Sheriff's, and State Parks Police.

It started at 8:30 in the morning when police pulled over Pannell for not using his turn signal.

Dep. Michael Haug from Erie Co. Sheriff's Office said, "He went to arrest the subject, and he fled in his vehicle and ended up ditching it near the woods. Then he fled into the woods. And the search was on."

As he fled into the woods, police say Pannell ran right out of his clothing.

Despite the massive search, Pannell seemed to have slipped away.

Haug said, "We had negative results and the search was then called off."

Finally, around 10:30 p.m., 10 hours after he first fled from police, someone saw Pannell walking on River Road near the south Grand Island bridges. That person tipped off police.

Haug describes the chase, "We jumped out of the car. We pursued him on foot. He ran into the Mid River Marina."

Police say Pannell then jumped into the river wearing sweat pants and a T-shirt he somehow got from a kid.

Haug said they arrested him after keeping a close eye on him, as he ended up coming out to give himself up.

Pannell was slapped with several charges including wreck less endangerment, a felony. He ran, police say, because he knew he was wanted on two misdemeanor warrants.

Dep. Haug said, "He just kept saying he didn't want to go to jail. He has six kids and he just did not want to be arrested."

He is now in jail. Bail is set at $5000.  

Story by Melissa Holmes