New NYPD bodycam video shows the moment a fearless pair of cops jumps into the water off the Rockaways – on the tail of an alleged Queens car thief who made the plunge to avoid arrest.
The tense footage shows suspect Matthew Swafford, 24, walking along a dock and plunging into the East Rockaway inlet Thursday afternoon – despite demands from a female officer to “Stop there!”
The determined cop begins removing her gear from her department belt as her male colleague radios for help from the department’s Harbor Unit.
Seconds later, the female officer jumps into the water after Swafford – only for him to flail his arms and push her under the water, according to the footage and a criminal complaint.
The male cop soon joins his colleague in the water, and both bring the suspect to shore.
Swafford, who has a slew of prior arrests – including involving a slew of stolen vehicles – was immediately led away in cuffs.
“We went through all of this for a stolen car?” the female officer chided Swafford, according to a criminal complaint.
He replied, “Yeah, I know, it was stupid,” according to the court docs.
The officers, assigned to the 101 Precinct’s Public Safety Team, had been responding at the time to Beach 8th Street and Seagirt Avenue on reports of a stolen vehicle that had been recovered, authorities said.
Members of the Rockaway Nassau Safety Patrol informed the officers that they’d found a black 2025 Honda sedan, which was stolen June 28, police said.
The cops launched their search for the suspect, which ultimately took the unexpected turn into the inlet, authorities said.
“A suspected car thief tried to make his escape by diving into the water,” the NYPD posted on X alongside the video. “He didn’t count on our dedicated @NYPD101Pct officers following him without hesitation, putting duty before danger.
“Their quick action ended the chase safely, bringing him onto shore, and into custody.”
Swafford was arraigned Friday on charges of criminal possession of stolen property, attempted forgery of a vehicle identification, unauthorized use of a vehicle, obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest, prosecutors said.
He was ordered held on $15,000 cash bail or $45,000 bond by Judge Glenda Hernandez.
Swafford’s most recent prior arrest occurred June 29, when cops caught him with two other stolen vehicles – a 2018 Kawasaki motorcycle and a 2017 Honda Civic, according to that criminal complaint.
In that case, bail was set at $4,000 cash and $12,000 bond.
Swafford was previously busted April 22 in possession of three other stolen vehicles – a Honda sedan, a Honda minivan and a BMW sedan, according to that court filing.
He was ordered held on $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bond in that case.
It was not immediately clear how or when he ended up posting bail, but he is due back in court for both cases Aug. 21.
He will reappear in court in connection to last week’s bust Oct. 22.
Swafford’s rap sheet also includes a 2020 bust for first-degree robbery and separate 2017 arrests for assault on a police officer and misdemeanor assault, sources said.
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