Assault suspect jumps in river in an attempt to flee from police in New London

Train services were temporarily interrupted on Thursday afternoon when authorities apprehended an assault suspect who had fled near railroad tracks in New London and into a river, where he refused to come out for over an hour, police said.

Officers responded to an unspecified location in the New London around 1:11 p.m. on Thursday after a woman called 911 and said she had been assaulted, according to the New London Police Department .

Police said they were given a description of the suspect, who fled when officers arrived. He was later identified as 59-year-old Richard Kaczmarczyk of New London, according to police.

Police said Kaczmarczyk fled toward a set of train tracks, prompting authorities to contact Amtrak to have train services temporarily stopped. He then jumped into the Thames River and swam to a construction barge.

A large contingent of agencies swarmed the area, including the U.S. Coast Guard and officers from the Waterford, Groton Town and Groton City Police Departments.

Police said Kaczmarczyk refused to come out of the water and held onto a mooring line for over an hour. He eventually surrendered and was taken into custody before being transported toLawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London, according to police.

Police said they learned that Kaczmarczyk was wanted in connection with eight outstanding arrest warrants. He was charged in connection with the warrants as well as the allegations on Thursday.

Kaczmarczyk faces four counts of second-degree failure to appear and two counts of first-degree failure to appear as well as a single count each of interfering with police, third-degree assault, second-degree breach of peace, violation of probation, violation of a protective order and second-degree harassment. He was held on bonds totaling $150,000.

Police noted that a protective order violation Kaczmarczyk faces did not stem from the alleged assault on Thursday, which was not considered domestic violence.

The female victim suffered injuries not considered life-threatening and was also taken to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital.

Police said they are still investigating and asking anyone with information to contact the New London Police Department at 860-447-5269, ext. 0.