Woman Thought to be Lost in Lake Michigan Found Hiding on Beach

A 49-year-old Chicago woman swimming off Dempster Street beach Friday morning who caused an extensive search may now be charged after she was found hiding on the shore.

At around 1:30 a.m., the Evanston police department reported seeing a woman swimming in the beach. They called out to her but she was unresponsive, according to an email from the city.

The police conducted a search to find and potentially resuce the woman, and brought a US Coast Guard and CFD helicopter and Evanston's Lifeguard boat to the scene, the city said.

The search lasted for hours, and officials found the woman's clothing, identification, and car nearby.

Police eventually found the woman at 7 a.m., who walked into the Dempster Street beach house wearing "little or no clothing."

"Apparently she hid somewhere while all the activity and search was being conducted," read an email from Evanston Fire Chief Greg Klaiber.

Police are looking into appropriate charges for the woman, who has not yet been identified.