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Warrant Issued For Man Who Allegedly Sent Estranged Wife's Corvette Plunging Into River

PHILADELPHIA (CBS/AP) — A warrant has been issued for the man accused of plunging his estranged wife's Corvette into the Delaware River Monday evening.

Fifty-year-old John Kramer will be charged with contempt, violation of protection from an abuse order, harassment and recklessly endangering another person.

Kramer allegedly sent the red Corvette into a river, triggering a search for a possible victim inside, police said. However, Eyewitness News' David Spundt spoke with Kramer on the phone and he said 'it is all a big misunderstand.'

Officers were called on Monday afternoon about a car in the Delaware River. A witness told them that a man had driven to the riverbank, gotten out and then let the car run into the water, Inspector Scott Small said.

"I guess he was angry with her and drove her vehicle into the Delaware River," Small said.

Marine units found the 1990 Corvette in about 30 feet of water, where it was pitch black, and felt around inside to make sure it was unoccupied, Small said. They then attached a tow line so the car could be pulled from the river less than two hours later.

Small said investigators later determined that a 50-year-old man had gone to the residence of his wife, who is cooperating with police, and taken the car. He said the description given by the witness matches the husband.

The estranged wife of Kramer tells Eyewitness News she is scared he'll attack again.

Small said it was "extremely dangerous" for divers to have to go down in dark conditions, especially in that area, where the river bottom is littered with car parts, rebar and trash.

"They were saying it was zero visibility — they were blindly feeling around" in the interior of the car, he said.

One other charge is likely, Small said: illegal dumping.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten)

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