- Jason Taylor, 23, was arrested after stealing a tap payment machine from a Manhattan dry cleaner.
- The police chase ended when Taylor jumped into Central Park's Harlem Meer attempting to escape.
- Video footage shows Taylor struggling with officers as they rescued him from the water before his arrest.
- Taylor faces charges of petit larceny, with his arraignment pending as of Tuesday.
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK — Weeks after a woman died after falling into an open manhole in Midtown Manhattan, another unusual New York incident is drawing attention. This time, police say an accused thief jumped into a Central Park lake while trying to escape officers.
Jason Taylor, 23, was arrested Monday after a chase that began at a dry cleaner on Lenox Avenue and ended in the Harlem Meer, a lake in the northern part of Central Park.
Theft Reported at Dry Cleaner
According to police, Taylor walked into the dry cleaner at around 3:35 p.m. and asked to use the restroom.
Staff refused to let him use it.
Police say Taylor then grabbed the shop’s tap payment machine and ran from the business.
Police Chase Ends at Central Park Lake
Officers chased Taylor south toward West 110th Street and Fifth Avenue.
As police closed in, Taylor allegedly jumped into the Harlem Meer.
The attempted escape lasted about 20 minutes before medics pulled him from the water.
Video Shows Struggle in Water
Video posted online showed Taylor struggling with several officers while still in the lake.
Officers and responders worked to restrain him before he was removed from the water and taken into custody.
Police have not reported any serious injuries from the incident.
Suspect Charged
Taylor was charged with petit larceny.
His arraignment was still pending as of Tuesday.
The NYPD has not released further details about the case.
For now, the incident remains another unusual New York arrest where a theft allegation turned into a public police chase and water rescue.
To view more cases involving strange police chases, public arrests, and unusual crime scenes, check out our video here:
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