Man Jumps in CT River to Evade Police After Foot Chase

Police are seeking the public's help in finding a 21-year-old Middletown who led them on a chase early Sunday and jumped into the Connecticut River to evade capture.

At 2:56 a.m., Brandon Drake was observed walking southbound on deKoven Drive by a Middletown patrol officer, who recognized him from past encounters and knew he had outstanding warrants, according to the report.

As the officer tried to stop Drake, he fled and a foot chase ensued across train tracks toward Route 9. Drake ran across the south and northbound lanes of the highway, causing oncoming vehicles to make emergency stops to avoid collisions. 

The officer pursued Drake into Harborpark toward the river, where ground conditions were poor due to receding flood waters. Drake climbed over a fence and onto a dock, where he ran southbound with officers pursuing him on foot parallel to the fence, according to the report.

At one point, Drake became winded and stopped. Officers commanded him to surrender and made attempts to apprehend him. To avoid capture, Drake jumped into the Connecticut River and swam east toward the center. Officers pleaded for him to return to shore but were ignored. 

Middletown Police and Fire rescue units responded with boats and watercraft equipment to search the river for Drake. The U.S. Coast Guard sent a helicopter from the Cape Cod area. They prepared to launch a Cutter at 6:17 a.m. for the rescue effort. 

At 5:20 a.m., the report states, Middletown officers went to Drake’s mother’s home on Saybrook Road to notify her. She told police she recently had contact with Drake and he was safe. She contacted Drake by phone and allowed officers to speak with him. He would not disclose his location. 

Police believe Drake is suffering from injuries related to the river plunge. He has three warrants pending for his arrest with numerous others being reviewed for approval at GA-9 Middletown Superior Court. 

Police say Drake has a domestic-related warrant from July 21 with charges of two counts of third-degree assault and two counts of second-degree threatening, with a $25,000 bond. There are two rearrest warrants pending for him out of GA-9 for failing to appear in court with bonds totaling $60,000.   

Anyone who knows Drake's whereabouts is asked to call (860) 344-3200. He is a light-skinned black male, 5-foot 9 inches to 5- foot 11 inches tall, with a thin build and long bushy hair worn in a ponytail. 

This is the second such incident in six days in Middletown. On Aug. 29, a Hartford man escaped from police headquarters after climbing under the sally port. He was eventually run down.