Pulling stolen car from river no easy task

It took teamwork to pull a stolen Pontiac from the Kootenai River last week.

Those who assisted were Bonners Ferry City Police, Boundary County Sheriff’s Deputies, Jacob’s Towing, city street and fire departments.

Police said the vehicle belonged to Sherry Lockman of Bonners Ferry, who reported it stolen is 2002.

After a group effort the car was dragged out of the river and up the dike hill on North River Road.

A Placerville, Calif. man  spotted the vehicle Sept., 13 while  looking at property on North River Road. 

The late model Pontiac was heavy and full of mud as it was drug up the river bank.  City workers used a fire hose  to spray the mud from the vehicle so it could be searched by police.  

With shovels, police searched the vehicle to confirm no one was inside and to look for evidence that may help in the theft investigation.

Police said there are no suspects for the theft.

The owner of the vehicle’s  insurance company agreed to pay the bill for its removal from the river and towing, according to police.