ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — Update Monday, Sept. 9: Police have identified the missing man as 46-year-old Joseph E. Beranek of Macomb. Find News 8's updated reporting here.
Update Tuesday, Sept. 3: News 8 spoke with an Illinois DNR Conversation Police sergeant who said they are continuing to conduct land and water searches within the Black Hawk State Historic Site. According to the DNR spokesperson, the missing person case originated out of Macomb. The sergeant said it's their understanding that the family may not be interested in releasing a name or description.
News 8 also reached out to police in Macomb. We received the following statement from the police chief.
I received a briefing about the case about a half hour ago. I will say that detectives from Macomb PD are working the case as a missing person call. When we have more to release, we will include you in a media release. Follow our Facebook as well for timely information, but I’ll reply to this email address as well when we make a release.
Previous story:
Search crews are looking for a 46-year-old man who was last seen at the Black Hawk State Historic Site in Rock Island.
An Illinois DNR Conservation Police spokesperson told News 8 that it is unknown how long the man has been missing, but crews have been searching since this morning, Friday, Aug. 30.
The man's last known location was at the park, which covers more than 200 acres and features trails through forests and along the Rock River.
Multiple search crews have been at the scene since this morning, including the Illinois DNR Conservation Police, QC Search and Rescue, Mercer County Search and Rescue and the Rock Island Fire Department, which had a boat searching the river.
The Conservation Police spokesperson said they are not ready to release a description or details of the man at this point in their investigation.
News 8 will update this news story as more information is made available. Download our app and subscribe to our YouTube channel for updates.
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