Minn. man accused of lying about drowning friend

STILLWATER, Minn. (AP) — Police have arrested a Minnesota man accused of lying about a drowning friend, a report that prompted Minnesota and Wisconsin authorities to launch a massive search.

The sheriff’s department in St. Croix County, Wis., said it received a report of a possible drowning on the St. Croix River on Saturday just before 10 p.m.

Campers told authorities a 23-year-old Oak Park Heights man swam from a boat claiming one of his friends had drowned. Witnesses said the man then ran into the woods.

Rescue officials from both states converged and conducted a lengthy search. They eventually determined that everyone who had been with the man was accounted for.

The man was arrested on a probation violation.

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