MANSFIELD, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—A citizen’s effort to drill a fishing hole in the ice at North Lake Park led to the discovery and recovery of a submerged stolen pickup truck on Friday, according to the Mansfield Division of Police.
Police were called to the Mansfield park at approximately 12 p.m. after a caller reported striking an object with an ice auger. Using a sonar device, the individual confirmed the object under the ice was a pickup truck.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team responded to the scene. Due to the thick ice, divers spent several hours breaking through the surface to access the vehicle. The truck was successfully secured and removed from the lake at about 6:30 p.m.
“The vehicle was confirmed to have been reported stolen through our department in 2023,” said Mansfield Division of Police Chief Jason Bammann in a statement. No occupants or additional items were found inside the truck.
Chief Bammann publicly thanked the agencies and community members who assisted with the complex operation in challenging winter conditions.
“I would like to thank the Richland County Sheriff’s Office and their Dive Team for their professionalism and their ability to operate in extremely challenging conditions,” Bammann said. He also extended gratitude to the City of Mansfield Street Department, Mansfield Fire Department, and Shelly Smith Towing for their assistance.
Bammann concluded by recognizing community support, specifically thanking Hamilton’s on Main Pizza for donating pizza and water, and an unknown citizen for providing coffee to the first responders.
“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,” he added.