Newark Cop Leaps Into Icy Passaic River, Saves Drowning Suspect

NEWARK, NJ — An alleged car thief’s deadly gambit to escape police pursuit by leaping into the icy Passaic River on Wednesday night could have killed him if not for the heroic actions of a Newark cop, authorities say.

According to Newark police, Sergeant Juan Gonzalez’s courageous rescue took place around 10 p.m. when officers spotted a 2002 Chrysler Town and Country minivan that had been reported stolen earlier that night. When police attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver and occupant – who were allegedly seen “tampering with vehicles” in the area a few hours prior – attempted to make their getaway.

The driver, later identified as Amir Sinclair Copeland, 24, of Newark, stopped the minivan near the intersection of McCarter Highway and Center Street. At that point, Copeland and his passenger got out of the vehicle and fled on foot, authorities said.

Police said that the passenger of the car was able to make an escape down Broad Street. However, Copeland opted for a different escape route and decided to plunge into the frigid depths of the nearby Passaic River, authorities stated.

It proved to be a poor choice, according to police.

When officers saw that Copeland’s head sank underwater and he was beginning to drown, they knew that he was in danger. That’s when Gonzalez leapt into action, jumping into the river and swimming out to help the suspect that he’d been chasing just moments earlier.

Despite the icy temperature and strong currents of the Passaic River, Gonzalez managed to pull Copeland to safety, authorities said.

"I dove into the water at the spot where I saw bubbles,” Gonzalez recalled. “I couldn’t see the suspect, but I reached down, grabbed his arm and was able to pull him to the surface.”

Emergency responders transported Gonzalez and Copeland to University Hospital in Newark. Copeland suffered “water in his lungs,” while Gonzalez was released after being treated for hypothermia, authorities said.

Newark police released the below video taken during the incident.

During a search of the minivan, police found a replica handgun and several license plates. Police later discovered that Copeland has “an extensive history of arrests” that include:

• Eight arrests for receiving stolen property between 2013 and 2015
• Two arrests for receiving stolen auto in 2016

After Wednesday’s incident authorities charged Copeland with receiving stolen property, eluding, resisting arrest and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose commended Gonzalez for his bravery.

“Rather than waiting for a boat or raft to arrive, Sergeant Gonzalez risked his own life to ensure that Copeland would survive,” Ambrose said. “Jumping into the icy Passaic River, swimming out to save the suspect and pulling him to safety is nothing short of heroic.”

While Gonzalez’s latest exploits are the stuff of action movies, the on-the-rise officer has also shown that he’s capable of a quieter but no-less-heroic compassion.

After getting word that a pair of local kids had their bikes stolen a month before Christmas, Gonzales reached into his own pocket to buy to replace them, an act that his supervisors called “an act of kindness that turned what could have been a very sad holiday for this family into a time of gratitude and celebration.”

• See related article: Newark Cop Reaches Into Own Pocket To Replace Stolen Christmas Bikes

Main Photo: Google Maps