A cold and intoxicated homeless man showed up at the Madison Police Department claiming he was robbed early Thursday morning.
The 58-year-old victim told police he was at a local bar having drinks with another homeless man Wednesday night. After he left the bar the victim settled down to sleep beneath a tree along John Nolen Drive.
Then the victim's drinking partner allegedly pulled the victim into Lake Monona.
""The victim said he was held face-down, underneath the chilly water, until he was ‘on the verge of death,'"" Madison Police spokesperson Joel DeSpain said.
While he was being drowned the victim told police the suspect took his wallet before leaving him and fleeing on a bicycle. The victim then ""crawled out of the lake"" and walked to the police station, police said.
The man had a cut on his head and bloody scratches on his elbow and hand when he arrived at the police station, DeSpain said.
