Man stopped by police for stealing his own van

[December 10, 2008]  BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) -- A Detroit motorist was stopped and handcuffed by police on suspicion of stealing what turned out to be his own van.

Bloomfield Township Police Chief Kirt Bowden said he witnessed the traffic stop Monday from his office window and worried something was amiss when he noticed the van wasn't new and the driver appeared to be in his 70s.

WJBK-TV in Detroit reported the motorist recently had spotted the van he reported stolen and was told by Detroit police he could take it back.

Bowden said it appears the van still was listed as stolen in the Law Enforcement Information Network when the man was stopped by his officers about 15 miles northwest of Detroit.

A Detroit police spokesman said the department is looking into the incident.

[Associated Press]

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