Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Video: GA Officers Swim After Suspect During Pursuit

"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."

September 2, 2022
Video: GA Officers Swim After Suspect During Pursuit

Two Atlanta police officers apprehend a suspect who tried to flee from arrest by swimming across a lake.

Credit:

PHOTO: Atlanta Police Department

2 min to read


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.

Ad Loading...

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.”

More Patrol

image of trooper, shown from waist down, standing beside a police cruiser along the road and at right a headline Slow Down Move Over.
PatrolMarch 19, 2026

Colorado State Patrol Releases 2025 Struck-By Analysis

The Colorado State Patrol, after analyzing its 2025 struck-by incidents, identified one area for improvement: using traffic cones to provide advanced warning before the cruiser's location. Here is the agency’s final data.

Read More →
Image of a group of men in business attire receiving an award set against a black background and a Streamlight logo up top.
PatrolMarch 19, 2026

Streamlight Names 144th Marketing Group Law Enforcement Sales Rep Agency of the Year

Streamlight has recognized the 144th Marketing Group as its 2025 Sales Rep Agency of the Year Award for the Law Enforcement market.

Read More →
Image of a group of men in business attire receiving an award set against a black background and a Streamlight logo up top.
PatrolMarch 19, 2026

Streamlight Names 144th Marketing Group Law Enforcement Sales Rep Agency of the Year

Streamlight has recognized the 144th Marketing Group as its 2025 Sales Rep Agency of the Year Award for the Law Enforcement market.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
DArk backgroundn with inset images of a fallen police officer and a ballistic helmet and headline Rife-Rated.
PatrolMarch 19, 2026

The Mission After the Moment

The mission of the Jorge Pastore Foundation is to support first responders through essential training, stronger community engagement, and mental wellness resources, all accessible and funded through donations, sponsorships, and foundation-led fundraising. It works closely with Team Wendy in the discussions about developing better protective gear for officers.

Read More →
Promotional graphic for Patrolfinder featuring a police chief’s headshot inside a circular frame alongside a police SUV in the background. The headline reads: “Built for Patrol: How One Police Chief Fixed Communication, Boosted Visibility, and Changed the Culture.”
SponsoredMarch 17, 2026

Built for Patrol: How One Police Chief Fixed Communication, Boosted Visibility, and Changed the Culture

Patrol work hasn’t changed—but the expectations on officers have. See how one police chief helped officers get the right information at the right time, improve patrol visibility, and strengthen trust without adding complexity or surveillance. This real-world story shows how patrol-driven technology can make the job safer, smarter, and more effective—starting on day one.

Read More →
Man in a blue blazer lifting his shirt to reveal a concealed handgun in a waistband holster while standing outdoors.
SponsoredMarch 2, 2026

Safariland Solis Rethinks Concealable Duty

What if Level I retention didn’t require a full duty rig? Safariland’s Solis delivers trusted ALS security in a streamlined OWB platform built for administrative and plainclothes professionals who need protection without the bulk.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Woman kneeling with a Bloodhound in front of a white pickup truck.
PatrolMarch 1, 2026

K-9s Play a Critical Role in Finding Missing Persons

Real-world scenarios show that a tracking canine can detect and follow a human track several hours after it was made.

Read More →
Black background with image of police car light bar, logo for POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips, and headline What are the latest law enforcement boots from Garmont Tactical?
Patrolby Wayne ParhamFebruary 25, 2026

Garmont Tactical’s LE Boot Lineup

In this video, we get a look at the latest law enforcement boots from Garmont Tactical, both for men and women. Kyle Ferdyn, sales manager, showcases four of the latest boots.

Read More →
Person in protective CMRN suit and breathing gear.
PatrolFebruary 18, 2026

Avon Protection Launches EXOSKIN-S2 High-Performance CBRN Protective Suit

With the commercial availability of Avon Protection’s EXOSKIN-S2, users now have increased options for their protective suit requirements across the spectrum of CBRN threat environments.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Sky background with logos for Versatern and Aloft
PatrolFebruary 18, 2026

Versaterm Acquires Aloft to Unlock a New Era of Drones for Public Safety

Versaterm has acquired Aloft, an FAA-approved Unmanned Service Supplier (USS) that specializes in real-time airspace intelligence and flight authorizations.

Read More →