Police investigating stolen patrol car

MADISON — The Madison Police Department is investigating how one of its vehicles, believed to be at a local shop for repairs, was photographed at an event in Franklin County over the weekend.

Police officials became aware of the matter on Monday, June 2, after a department vehicle was reportedly seen and photographed at an event in southeast Mississippi on the night of Saturday, June 1, said Madison Police Lt. Micah Taylor.

"It was brought to our attention that this unit was apparently photographed at an event in Franklin County, Mississippi," Taylor said Tuesday.

The specific repair shop responsible for the vehicle at the time has not yet been publicly identified by the department.

Taylor confirmed the individual driving the police vehicle in Franklin County was not a City of Madison employee and that its use for travel to the event was unauthorized.

"The Madison Police Department continues its investigation into the matter," Taylor stated. He added that he was unsure of the nature of the event or its specific location within Franklin County, which is approximately 98 miles, or about an hour and a half drive, south of Madison.

Upon learning of the incident, the Madison Police Department immediately took possession of the vehicle and transferred it to a different vendor to complete what Taylor described as "minor" repairs.

"We understand that there are occasions where a vehicle in for repairs has to be driven to determine certain issues or to test whether the vehicle is properly repaired; however, this was not the case with this vehicle," Taylor explained.