Suspected shoplifter drowns while trying to hide: authorities

water surface
River water surface Photo credit Getty Images

EAST PEORIA, Ill. (AP) -- Authorities say a central Illinois man suspected of shoplifting died after he fell into the Illinois River while apparently trying to hide near a U.S. Coast Guard station.

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Fon du Lac Park District Police Chief Michael Johnson said the man died Friday after he apparently scaled a fence and tumbled down an embankment into the river in East Peoria.

The Journal Star reports the Tazewell County coroner says the man was a 31-year-old Peoria resident and an autopsy is set for Monday.

Johnson says the man was suspected of shoplifting from a nearby Walmart store.

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