Three suspicious persons looking under the hood of a suspicious vehicle were found to be illegally in possession of the vehicle.

On Sunday, a report of the suspicious persons outside of Bill’s Quick Stop on East Canal brought officers out to check on the situation. Picayune Police Public Information Officer Capt. Theresa Milar said the call came into the department at about 1:30 p.m. that day.

The officer approached the green Pontiac and found all three looking under the hood of the car. The officer called in the tag number and, while waiting on a response, he began to ask the suspects some questions, such as who the vehicle belonged to, Milar said.

One of the suspect’s told the officer the vehicle belonged to his child’s mother, Milar said.

Dispatch then informed the officer the vehicle had been reported stolen in Jones County. When the officer attempted to put the suspect under arrest, he resisted and fled into the woods, as did the other two suspects, Milar said. A search ensued but none of the suspects were found.

Identification for the man who reported the car was his child’s mother’s vehicle was believed to be false, Milar said. The officer did not get a chance to identify the other two suspects, Milar said.

The owner of the vehicle has been notified that her vehicle has been recovered. The department is still looking for the suspect believed to be involved in the alleged theft of the vehicle.