Submerged Stolen Vehicle Recovered from North Lake Park
MANSFIELD, Ohio — A stolen vehicle submerged beneath the ice at North Lake Park was recovered Monday evening following a multi-agency response, according to the Mansfield Division of Police.
Police said officers were dispatched around noon after a caller reported striking an object while drilling a hole in the ice at the lake. Using a sonar device, the individual believed the object to be a pickup truck beneath the water’s surface.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team was called to the scene and worked for several hours under difficult conditions, breaking through thick ice to reach the vehicle. At approximately 6:30 p.m., the vehicle was successfully removed from the lake.
Authorities confirmed the pickup truck had been reported stolen through the Mansfield Division of Police in 2023. No occupants or additional items were found inside the vehicle.
Mansfield Police Chief Jason Bammann praised the coordinated effort among responding agencies, thanking the Richland County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team for their professionalism and ability to operate in extremely challenging conditions. He also acknowledged assistance from the City of Mansfield Street Department, Mansfield Fire Department, and Shelly Smith Towing.
In addition, Chief Bammann expressed appreciation for the community members who supported crews working the scene, including Hamilton’s on Main Pizza for donating pizza and water, and an unidentified citizen who provided coffee.
“While we all understand the nature of this profession, it is these acts of kindness and community support that help carry us through situations like this,” Bammann said.
The investigation into how the vehicle ended up in the lake remains ongoing.
Photo Credits: Appleseed News X 6
Mansfield Division of Police x2
