Kauai police arrested a homeless man who reportedly drove a passenger van into the ocean off Anini Beach Park yesterday afternoon, according to a county news release.

Witnesses told police that 42-year-old John Robert Garrick was driving a Ford passenger van on Anini Road when he turned into the park about 1:39 p.m. and allegedly accelerated towards the ocean.

The van flew off a retaining wall, went airborne and landed in shallow water, police said.

Witnesses said Garrick allegedly continued to drive the van until it became stuck in the sand, then he fled on foot.

Police arrested Garrick nearby and charged him with reckless driving, second-degree reckless endangering and driving under the influence.

He was being held in the police cellblock last night on $400 bail.

The van was removed from the beach and brought to higher ground.