Video: GA Officers Swim After Suspect During Pursuit

When Atlanta, GA, police tried to apprehend a man in a stolen car Aug. 25, the suspect thought he could get away by swimming across a lake. He was wrong, and a police helicopter caught the amphibious chase and apprehension on video .

Officers observed a Dodge Charger that was confirmed stolen in Atlanta a day before. The driver had previously eluded several officers but with the assistance of APD’s Aviation Unit, the vehicle was located and tracked from the air.

Eventually, the driver got out of the vehicle and fled on foot into the woods then decided that his best escape option was to jump into Tatum Lake and swim away from officers. Police report two officers quickly removed their duty belts and pursued the man in the water. They apprehended Jetarvius Q. Thompson, 20, before he could reach the other side of the small lake.

Thompson was arrested and charged with reckless driving, fleeing and eluding, obstruction, theft by receiving stolen vehicle, driving while unlicensed, and possession of tools for the commission of a crime. Police say there was also a warrant for Thompson on an Atlanta murder charge from 2017 involving gun violence and another warrant for cruelty to children.

On social media, Atlanta Police states, “When it comes to keeping the City of Atlanta safe, APD officers are the best in law enforcement. Notice to criminals: If you come to this city to commit a crime, understand that by air, land, and water, APD officers will use every resource to track you down and arrest you. We want to thank the APD Air Unit and the brave quick-thinking officers for bringing this suspect to justice.”