A recently released NYPD body cam video captures two officers leaping into the water at Rockaway in pursuit of a suspect. The incident involves 24-year-old Matthew Swafford, who was walking along the dock and jumped into an inlet despite a female officer asking him to stop.
She started removing gear from her belt and called on her colleague for support from the port forces. Just moments later, the female officer followed Swafford into the water, where he attempted to evade capture by submerging himself. Police footage indicates he was trying to escape as the officers plunged into the depths after him.
Eventually, the male officer joined in, and both managed to haul Swafford back to shore.
With a record that includes prior arrests for vehicle theft, Swafford was quickly placed under arrest. The female officer, surprised at the extent of the situation, reportedly asked him, “Did we go through all of this because of a stolen car?” to which he acknowledged, “Yeah, that was stupid.”
Authorities mentioned that the officers were responding to reports of other stolen vehicles found nearby. Specifically, they had been informed about a stolen 2025 Honda Sedan discovered at Beach 8th Avenue and Seagert Avenue just prior to the incident.
The NYPD shared on social media that the suspect didn’t anticipate the officers’ swift reaction, which saw them entering the water without hesitation. Their prompt actions led to a safe conclusion of the pursuit, culminating in Swafford being detained.
Swafford, arrested on multiple charges including possession of stolen property and attempted forgery of vehicle identification, was set with bail at $15,000 cash or $45,000 bond. His recent record also reveals arrests from earlier in June for possessing two other stolen vehicles—a 2018 Kawasaki bike and a 2017 Honda Civic—where bail was capped at $4,000 in cash or $12,000 by bond.
This was not his first run-in with the law; he faced previous arrests in April for possessing several other stolen vehicles, with bail set at $20,000 cash or $40,000 bond at that time.
As for the current situation, it’s unclear when he might post bail, but he is scheduled to return to court on August 21st, with another appearance related to his latest arrest set for October 22nd. Additionally, Swafford’s criminal history includes a first-degree robbery in 2020 and prior arrests in 2017 for assaulting a police officer as well as other misdemeanors.
