Cops say car thief drowns in river trying to elude them

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) – Authorities say a suspected car thief has died after jumping into a river and drowning while being chased by police.

Jacksonville Sheriff’s officials say deputies spotted a stolen car Sunday and followed it. The suspects bailed out of the car and fled on foot, jumping into Cedar River.

The Florida Times-Union (http://tinyurl.com/nzdngby ) reports one of the suspects knocked on a nearby home and asked for help because his friend was drowning.

Officials arrested that suspect and retrieved the body of the other from the river. Authorities have not identified the suspects or released details about the charges.