Zachary Kingsbury (pictured), 20, attempted to escape arrest by jumping into shark infested waters

A North Carolina man unknowingly jumped into shark infested waters as he tried to escape arrest.

Surf City police officials say 20-year-old Zachary Kingsbury was pulled over just before 5pm on Wednesday, according to WECT.

Upon conducting a search in the vehicle, police officers discovered suspicious contraband on the passenger side of the vehicle.

Kingsbury, who was in the driver's seat, was then asked to step out of his vehicle, at which point he 'fled the scene on foot, onto the beach', and proceeded into the ocean, police documents show.

After swimming nearly a mile from shore, drone footage shows Kingsbury being trailed by a shark some 25 feet away

After swimming more than a mile away from shore, however, authorities said the arrest turned into a 'rescue operation' and launched a drone to track the escapee.

As the unmanned aerial vehicle flew over Kingsbury, footage shows a shark some 25 feet away trailing the police dodger. It remains unclear if Kingsbury was aware of the animal.

Authorities were finally able to nab Kingsbury around 7.45pm at the Wicker Avenue beach access in North Topsail Beach, nearly three hours after the ordeal had begun.

Kingsbury was placed under arrest and is being held at Pender County Jail.

The 20 year old was slapped with a litany of charges following the event, including resisting arrest, obstructing an officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, methamphetamine, and possession of marijuana of up to a half an ounce.