Stolen car found in flames Friday

A hybrid car stolen from a Cape Girardeau motel was found Friday morning ablaze in Twin Trees Park.

A patrol officer came upon the 2004 Toyota Prius on fire around 4 a.m. off East Cape Rock Drive, according to police spokesman Jason Selzer.

"There's no way to salvage this car, it's melted," Selzer said of the damage.

The vehicle's owner, from Whitewater, reported the car stolen at 7:15 a.m. when he found it missing from the Super 8 Motel, 2011 N. Kingshighway, Selzer said.

The owner still had his keys to the vehicle, and had no idea who may have taken it.

Arson was suspected, but no one was in custody and no motive was established, according to Selzer.