A swimmer trying to escape from the police in New York City was arrested on Monday. According to the authorities, the man, suspected of petty larceny, fled into Central Park to avoid arrest.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) stated that they were initially aiming to apprehend the man in Harlem. Instead of being taken into custody, the 23-year-old suspect raced toward Central Park and dived into the Harlem Meer, a lake covering 11 acres in the park’s northeast end.

A helicopter from NYPD hovered above the lake as the suspect attempted to swim to safety. However, he was intercepted by NYPD divers who entered the water, captured him, and took him into custody. The police transported him to Mount Sinai Morningside hospital, where he was in stable condition.

This incident adds to a series of events involving repeat offenders in the city, highlighting ongoing issues with law enforcement’s efforts to manage criminal activity effectively.