Possible Burglary Suspect Drowns In San Rafael Canal

SAN RAFAEL, CA – A possible burglary suspect drowned in the San Rafael Canal after attempting to evade police Monday night.

Police responded to a call about a possible burglary around 6:40 p.m. at a home in the 300 block of Point San Pedro Road, according to the Marin County Sheriff's Office.

Officers saw a man standing in the driveway, sheriff's officials said. The man ignored the officers' commands and jumped into the canal, which borders the back of the home near Summit Avenue.

The man began to struggle, and officers threw flotation devices to him, sheriff's officials said. One officer jumped into the water and swam toward the suspect as he went underwater.

"The officer swam to the area the suspect was last seen but was unable to find him," officials said in a press release.

The Southern Marin Fire Department dive team, with help from San Rafael police, found the man who was declared dead. The identity of the man has not been released pending notification of the family.

The Marin County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident.

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