Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Mugger Tries to Escape Police by Jumping Into Hudson, NYPD Says

 City and State officials say there is no public health risk from formaldehyde levels are Riverbank State Park. The Health Department recently tested the air quality around the wastewater treatment plant under the park.
City and State officials say there is no public health risk from formaldehyde levels are Riverbank State Park. The Health Department recently tested the air quality around the wastewater treatment plant under the park.
View Full Caption
Facebook/Riverbank State Park

MANHATTAN — A mugger beat and robbed a man with a spackling knife in Riverbank State Park before trying to escape police by jumping into the Hudson River — and then bit the officers who fished him out, an NYPD spokesman said.

Rafael Guzman, 32, robbed a 25-year-old man about 7:45 p.m., threatening him with the trowel and punching him in the head before running off with his cellphone, police said.

Park police were called and started chasing Guzman who then jumped from the seawall near West 145th Street, police said.

FDNY marine units tossed Guzman, who's homeless, a safety ring and NYPD brought him aboard their boat and back to land, police said.

But once there, Guzman bit one of the responding officers, police said. Officers managed to subdue him and Parks police took him into custody, officials said.

Guzman's been charged with robbery, assault, resisting arrest, menacing and criminal possession of a weapon, police said.

The officer who Guzman bit was treated at Lutheran Medical Center and listed as stable, police said.

Emergency Service Unit officers recovered the spackling knife, police said.

Guzman's arrest comes 15 days after a purse snatcher similarly tried to escape police by jumping into the Hudson River.