Elgin police ask residents to avoid downtown area after suspect armed with knife jumps in Fox River

ELGIN, Ill. (WLS) -- Elgin police asked residents to avoid part of their downtown area as they work to find someone armed with a knife who jumped into the Fox River.

Police said they responded just before 11 a.m. Friday to the area of Highland Avenue and State Street for a report of a male suspect interfering with railroad operations.



The suspect ran from police and jumped into the Fox River, police said.

Police saw he had a large knife.



Elgin fire crews responded in an effort to get the suspect out of the water.

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At some point, the suspect went under the water, police said.

More resources were called to the area to search for the suspect, police said.

Chopper 7 was over the scene about noon.



Emergency vehicles could be seen, as well as a boat in the Fox River.

This is a developing story; check back for updates.