The 42-year-old man who jumped naked into the massive aquarium at Bass Pro Shops in Leeds told police he was on drugs, the chief said Monday.

George Aaron Owens, of Sterrett, is facing multiple charges and could face more after his now-viral swim.

“It is obvious from the behavior of (Owens) and his admissions that he had been taking drugs that we must continue remind the public of the dangers associated with their use,’’ said Leeds Police Chief Paul Irwin.

Efforts to reach Owens for comment have been unsuccessful. He was released from the St. Clair County Jail Sunday after posting bond.

“We are thankful that (Owens) was not severely injured and hopefully he will at some point take responsibility for his behavior,’’ Irwin said.

“The defendant did not accept any responsibility for his actions, but he states he remembers what occurred.”

Irwin last week said Owens was receiving mental health treatment after he was taken into custody. On Monday, however, Irwin declined to comment on whether mental illness was a factor in the incident.

Police were called to the store at 8:03 p.m. Thursday after receiving multiple calls of a vehicle hitting a pole in the parking lot, a naked man running into the store and a man swimming in the fish tank.

Officers heard a loud commotion and saw the man – later identified as Owens – in the nature display.

Owens, the chief said, was jumping in and out of the large fish tank.

“He was very loud and yelling obscene comments towards officers and others inside of the store,’’ Irwin said.

Owens continued to yell obscenities as officers entered the gate where he was doing cannon balls and diving.

It was then Owens plunged from the aquarium to the concrete floor below, knocking himself unconscious.

The officer did not have a view of (Owens) exiting the tank, so they did not realize that (Owens) had been knocked unconscious until later, Irwin said.

“The officers body worn cameras did not show the (Owens) falling but numerous citizens released footage from their cellular phones.”

Irwin said Owens then rolled over and kicked one of the officers in the groin.

“The officer was in a great deal of pain and pulled (Owens) away from the area that was wet and slippery,” Irwin said.

Owens continued to resist being picked up and removed from the store and had to be further restrained while being treated outside the store.

The chief said Owens claimed to be on drugs, and tried to assault paramedics while they were checking on him.

Owens wife, Irwin said, helped police by putting underwear on Owens while he continued to resist.

Once inside the police cruiser, Owens kicked the rear door so hard that it warped the metal, Irwin said.

“The top and bottom of the door is damaged to the point where the door may have to be replaced,’’ he said.

“The defendant was taken and housed at the St. Clair County Jail where they (had) nurses to care for him because of his combative behavior.”

Owens is charged with second-degree assault for kicking the officer, first-degree criminal mischief for damages to the police Tahoe and the parking light pole, public lewdness for exposing himself in public, and reckless endangerment for intentionally crashing his vehicle with passengers inside.

“We are truly fortunate that our officer was not more severely injured during this assault,’’ Irwin said. “The Defendant recovered from a very dangerous fall and immediately began to assault an officer and others. He damaged the property of Bass Pro Shops and the City of Leeds.”

“He caused a scene that should not occur in public in front of many adults, children, and employees of Bass Pro Shop,’’ the chief said.

Irwin said the incident is an example of what police officers face each and every day.

“We must work hard every day to get individuals off the streets who are using and distributing illegal drugs,’’ he said.

“We must continue to assist individuals who have drug addictions and mental illnesses with the assistance they need to recover and be productive citizens.”

“Without every community working to resolve these problems, officers will continue to deal with these challenges on a daily basis and people will continue to be surprised by the odd and usual behavior of people in their private homes and ones like this that are put on public display for everyone with a cellphone to report,’’ he said.

Irwin said the investigation is ongoing and he hopes to release body camera footage at some point.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Leeds Police Department at 205-699-2581.