Chase Leads To Muddy River, Where Brookline Police Nab Wanted Man

BROOKLINE, MA — A police chase ended up in the river this morning, according to authorities. The Brookline Police Department's "new maritime division" took a man wanted on several warrants into custody from the middle of the Muddy River Friday, according to police on social media.

Police said this morning a person called police to check on someone sleeping with their head in a bag in the grass near the Muddy River and very dirty and disheveled. The caller was concerned they might need some help.

When police got there and discovered the man, Kevin Kelly, 29, with a last known address out of Quincy, was wanted on multiple warrants out of numerous jurisdictions they told the man they would be taking him in, according to Deputy Superintendent Michael Gropman.

After a beat, the man dashed away, prompting police to follow him running along the Emerald Necklace near the Longwood T station, until he jumped in the river.

Police said Kelly swam out to the area in the middle of the river and then refused to budge. Officers got a fire boat, which they dubbed tongue in cheek their new "maritime division," and went out to get the man. They were able to bring him in and arrest him on the warrants.

Kelly was taken to Saint Elizabeth's to check for contamination from pollution from the river.

"The officers came back, and they had to be hosed down, washed down and cleaned up, as a precaution, because the pollution levels in the muddy river can be high," said Gropman. "Police definitely do not recommend it as a swimming area."

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).