Sterling teen dies in failed burglary

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BY TELEGRAPH STAFF STERLING - A 19-year-old Sterling man died early this morning after he apparently burglarized a local liquor store, cutting himself fatally in the process. Tony C. Rupp was pronounced dead at 2:15 a.m. at CGH Medical Center, police said. Sterling police officers found Rupp at 1:28 a.m. in the roadway in the 900 block of east Fourth Street. He was unresponsive, and suffering from a severe laceration to his left arm, police said. According to police, it appears Rupp was involved in a burglary at Broadway Liquors, 301 Broadway. During the process of gaining entry through a broken window, Rupp cut his arm on the glass. Sterling Fire Department and CGH Ambulance personnel assisted with the treatment during transport to the hospital, where Rupp soon died as a result of the severity of his injury. The Whiteside County coroner has scheduled an autopsy for later today.