VIDALIA — A mid-sized sedan that was reported stolen four years ago appeared in the Mississippi River Monday morning, but the vehicle wasn’t able to be removed because of the amount of mud and silt accumulated inside.

A fisherman called 911 at approximately 8:30 a.m. Monday saying that he spotted the top of a car in the river just south of Bunge Grain in Vidalia, Vidalia Police Department Investigator Brandon Gremillion said.

The vehicle, a Chevy Malibu, was reported stolen by the owner to the VPD in 2008, Gremillion said.

Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies originally responded to the call to ensure no one was in the vehicle, Chief Deputy David Hedrick said.

After confirming that no bodies were inside and that the vehicle was reported to VPD stolen, CPSO deputies turned the case over to the investigators, Hedrick said.

A1 Towing in Vidalia was called to attempt to pull the vehicle from the river at approximately 10 a.m., Gremillon said.

“They made several attempts to get it out, but it was full of mud,” Gremillon said. “It’s pretty much up on the bank and almost all the way out of the water now.”

Without being able to inspect the vehicle further, Gremillon said there was no way to tell how long the vehicle had been submerged in the river.

Gremillion said he will contact the owner of the vehicle who reported it stolen and contact the insurance company to see what to do with the vehicle.

“Until we talk to them and get the vehicle out, we’re still investigating the situation,” Gremillon said.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents also responded to the scene.