Man Flees From Police In River, Disrupts Train Service: New London PD

NEW LONDON, CT — A man accused of assaulting a woman at a New London park Thursday afternoon tried to flee from officers by jumping into the Thames River and refusing to exit the water, according to police.

In a news release, Police Capt. Matthew Galante said officers received a call around 1 p.m. from a woman who reported she had been assaulted by a man at Riverside Park.

The woman also provided a description of the man, later identified as Richard Kaczmarczyk, 59, of New London, who fled from the area when officers arrived, Galante said.

When Kaczmarczyk spotted officers, including a police K9, he fled on foot toward nearby train tracks, which required police to contact Amtrak and have the company temporarily cease train operations, Galante said.

Kaczmarczyk then tried to elude officers by fleeing into the Thames River and swimming toward a nearby construction barge, Galante said.

Several mutual aid law enforcement marine units from Waterford, Groton and the U.S. Coast Guard subsequently surrounded Kaczmarczyk, however he refused to exit the water, Galante said.

After holding onto a mooring line for over an hour, Kaczmarczyk eventually surrendered to officers and was arrested without further incident. He was then taken to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital for treatment, according to Galante.

The woman was also transported to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, Galante said

In addition to facing charges for Thursday's incident, officers found Kaczmarczyk was wanted on eight active arrest warrants, according to Galante.

Kaczmarczyk was charged with interfering with police, third-degree assault, second-degree breach of peace, second-degree harassment, violation of probation, violation of a protective order, two counts of first-degree failure to appear and four counts of second-degree failure to appear.

Galante also noted Thursday's incident was not domestic violence-related, as the protective order charge was the result of one of Kaczmarczyk's active arrest warrants.

Anyone who may have witnessed or has information about this incident is encouraged to contact the New London Police Department at 860-447-5269 (ext. 0). Anonymous information can be submitted via the New London Tips 411 system.