Burglary suspect fleeing police drowns in Arkansas River

A burglary suspect drowned Friday morning while trying to swim across the Arkansas River with items he allegedly took from homes in the area<br><br>Police say Edward McBride kicked in the door of a house,

Friday, August 16th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

A burglary suspect drowned Friday morning while trying to swim across the Arkansas River with items he allegedly took from homes in the area

Police say Edward McBride kicked in the door of a house, and grabbed a duffle bag full of electronic gear.

As he left the house a man working next door saw him and called 911.

When police arrived as McBride was running toward The Arkansas River and he jumped in with the bag of loot.

Mike Branson was fishing in the river and saw OFFICERS go in after McBride.
"They were pulling their stuff off yelling at him to come back in but the guy just stayed out there. The officers got in the water he went down once or twice, he didn't come back up.

The fire department recovered McBride"s body about thirty minutes later.