THE body of a man who drowned at Berri, South Australia, after jumping into the Murray River in an attempt to evade police has been found.

The man, believed to be aged about 40, was being quizzed over a handbag theft from the nearby Riverland Farmer's Market, just after 3pm  on Saturday, when he launched himself into the river to avoid arrest and attempted to swim across.

Police called out to the man to return, but he refused. Shortly after, two officers jumped into the river in a rescue attempt , as the man appeared to be struggling.

The man then disappeared from view.

Police and State Emergency Service volunteers scoured the river and banks for several hours without success and resumed the search yesterday  morning, finding the body in the early afternoon.

Read more at AdelaideNow