March 28, 2024
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FOUND: Missing Rock Falls man located alive with no life-threatening injuries

ROCK FALLS – A 72-year-old Rock Falls man, missing since Sunday, was found alive with no life-threatening injuries Thursday morning at a local bar.

Robert E. McCombs was discovered in the basement of PJ's Bar, 109 West Second Street, around 11:30 a.m. Thursday by Rock Falls Police Detective Jeremy Vondra.

According to emergency responder radio communications, McCombs was found conscious and alert, with a fracture to his left ankle, and was transported to CGH Medical Center.

McCombs had been last seen around 8:30 p.m. Sunday in the 100 block of West Second Street.

His discovery comes after water rescue squads from the Rock Falls and Sterling Fire Departments conducted a two-and-a-half hour sweep of the Rock River Tuesday afternoon, finding no immediate signs of him.

Investigators with the Rock Falls and Sterling Police Departments also deployed K-9 units Tuesday morning around the area and talked with local business owners in an attempt to identify McCombs on video, according to a Rock Falls news release.

As of Thursday afternoon, it was unclear whether those interviews led to McCombs' discovery.

No further information was immediately available.

Timothy Eggert

Timothy Eggert

Tim covers criminal justice and public safety from Lee and Whiteside counties. Before joining Sauk Valley Media in August 2020, he reported on legal affairs and state government from Springfield. He's worked at newspapers on both of Michigan's peninsulas, and has a master's degree in public affairs reporting and a bachelor's degree in English.