A man who tried to steal an ATM with a backhoe was arrested when he asked police officers who were chasing him for help after he jumped into the Kansas River, police said.
Police said the man, in his 50s, used the backhoe to break into a convenience store in Kansas City, Kan., then tried to drive away with the automated teller machine. As the man tried to flee, the machine and 12 packs of soda fell from the backhoe, police said.
Police followed the man as he took the backhoe through a wooded area before fleeing on foot.
After jumping into the Kansas River, the man swam out about 15 feet from shore, then called for help, saying he was drowning, the police department said.
Two officers jumped into the river, rescued him and arrested him, police said.
The man was taken to a hospital after complaining of an ankle injury, police said. The two officers were unharmed.
