Man Jumps Into Lake to Escape NYPD During Central Park Chase: VIDEO

A 23-year-old man jumped into the Harlem Meer while fleeing police in Central Park on Monday afternoon, the NYPD said.

Officers had moved to arrest the man on a larceny complaint around 4:54 p.m. when he ran into the park on foot and dove into the 11-acre lake at the park’s northeast end, near 110th Street and Fifth Avenue. As he tried to swim to the far shore, an NYPD helicopter hovered overhead.

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Emergency responders reached him in the water and brought him back to shore, where police took him into custody. He was transported to Mount Sinai Morningside in stable condition.

The larceny investigation that prompted the chase originated in Harlem, just north of the park.

BREAKING | Police Chase Ends in Water
A police pursuit ended after a person reportedly jumped into the Harlem Meer while fleeing from officers. Emergency responders converged on the area as police continued the search from the shoreline.

The individual was later taken from the… pic.twitter.com/Otg3cxjS1o

— Citizen NYC (@CitizenAppNYC) June 8, 2026

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