Late-night swimmer accused of having stolen vehicle

OCEAN SPRINGS -- A man found treading water in the Ocean Springs Harbor just after midnight Sunday had been driving a stolen vehicle before he went for a chilly swim, police Detective Capt. William Jackson said.

Police had received a call about 12:26 a.m. about a suspicious man who appeared to be under the influence of a mind-altering drug.

An officer reported he told Jed D. Lumpkin to get out of the water several times, and learned a 1999 Jeep parked near where Lumpkin was swimming had been reported stolen.

Lumpkin, 35, of Ocean Springs, told the officer he had permission from a friend to drive the vehicle, but Lumpkin couldn't give the friend's name, Jackson said.

Police arrested Lumpkin on a charge of theft of a motor vehicle. He was booked at the Ocean Springs Municipal Jail and was held pending an initial court appearance before Judge Matthew Mestayer.

No drug charges were filed.

Lumpkin had no drugs on him, Jackson said.

This story was originally published November 9, 2015 at 10:26 AM with the headline "Late-night swimmer accused of having stolen vehicle ."