BMW in river launches 7-hour search in Iroquois County




Iroquois County investigators are trying to determine who dumped a pricey 2007 BMW sports utility vehicle into the muddy waters of the Iroquois River Friday night.

"No one was inside," said Ashkum Fire Chief Jeff Glenn, who led a team of 70 rescuers during the seven hours it took to locate the vehicle and get it out of the river.

But when the sinking SUV was reported around 8:35 p.m. Friday to the Iroquois County 911 Center, there was no way to know if anyone was trapped inside.

Ashkum firemen, Riverside paramedics and county deputies rushed to the scene about three miles south of L'Erable.

"We saw the vehicle about 20 feet from shore," Glenn said. Rescuers fought through heavy timber and brush trying to get closer to the shore and the vehicle.

"Just about the time that our boat was nearing the scene the car went down and the lights when out," Glenn said.

Glenn called for a dive team while boats crews and ice rescue teams from Ashkum, Aroma Park, St. Anne and Watseka searched the river.

"We lost that car for awhile in the darkness. We had three boats in the water probing with snags and grappling hooks. Finally the Aroma Park crew snagged the car."

Meanwhile, a quarter-mile farther south, county deputies found fresh tracks along a dirt road that led to an abandoned boat launch. "That's where we believe the SUV went into the water," Glenn said.

Divers from Orland Park, Mokena, Palos and Palos Heights examined the vehicle 12 feet beneath the surface and found all the doors and windows were intact. "Darkness and muddy water made it impossible to see if there was anybody inside," Glenn said.

"It took a few attempts to get the vehicle shackled and pulled onto shore," Glenn said. He estimated that the BMW was valued at $66,000.

It was a long, cold night's work, Glenn said. "It was 4 a.m. before we cleared the fire station."

The BMW had been reported stolen from Valparaiso, Ind. after a residential burglary, said sheriff's Lt. Randy Eimen.

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