Car stolen in Sikeston in 2002 turns up in river near Cape Girardeau

A vehicle that was reported stolen off a Sikeston, Mo., car lot was found Sunday afternoon in the Mississippi River, according to Lt. David James of the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department.

James said the water was low enough that a 1997 Pontiac Firebird was seen in the Diversion Channel east of the Missouri Conservation Department boat ramp by someone walking along the bank.

The car was reported stolen in 2002, which was so long ago its files aren't in the system, James said.

He said the vehicle looked as if it had rolled around in the river for a long time, and there is no value left in the car except scrap metal.

"It's going to be one of those deals where we try to contact the insurance company that handled the claim back then," he said.

James said there is not much of a way to find out who stole the car, other than for someone to come forward and admit to doing so.

"It was stolen off a lot; someone probably took it for a joy ride and ditched it," James said.

Pertinent address:

Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Sikeston, Mo.