A man has been arrested after allegedly stealing two cartons of beer from a local tavern in Port Augusta and trying to escape police by swimming away from them in the Spencer Gulf.

Key points: Police say the man tried to escape by swimming away from them at the local beach

Police say the man tried to escape by swimming away from them at the local beach He had allegedly stolen cartons of beer but dropped them before getting in the water

He had allegedly stolen cartons of beer but dropped them before getting in the water He was charged with serious criminal trespass, theft and hindering police

When he refused to leave the water, the man was arrested after making his way back to the shore after several minutes of negotiating with police.

Police said that just before 11:30pm on Tuesday, Port Augusta crews were called to Tassie Street after a man kicked in a storage room of the local tavern and stole two cartons of beer.

Following the alleged theft, the suspect was last seen heading towards the beach, dropping some of the cans of beer on his way.

Police said a foot chase ensued, with officers chasing the suspect who was still carrying one of the cartons of beer.

The suspect then tried to evade the chase, making his way to the Port Augusta foreshore before police said he dumped the beer and jumped into the water and began swimming away from the patrol.

The 29-year-old man from the state's far-north was charged with serious criminal trespass, theft and hindering police.

He was refused bail and will appear in the Port Augusta Magistrates Court.

Dangerous history of avoiding police

Last year, two teenage boys died after a group jumped into the Swan River in Western Australia while trying to avoid being arrested.

In September, 2018, WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson confirmed five teenagers were in a group being chased by police.

In addition to the two boys who died, three members of the group had been recovered alive from the river.

Police said officers had been called to check on the group following reports of youths "jumping fences" in Maylands — a riverside suburb of Perth.

In 2008, a 37-year-old man who tried to escape police arrest by swimming in the ocean on South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula was jailed for almost six years.

Police alleged the man had planned to hold-up the Watermark Hotel at Glenelg with a friend but police intercepted their phone calls and stopped the robbery.

They eventually came ashore and were charged with conspiracy.