Muskogee police captain placed on leave

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) -- A Muskogee police captain is on paid leave after a Jeep he reported stolen five years ago was found on his mother's farm in McIntosh County.<br/><br/>Captain Jim Wooten is on

Wednesday, October 12th 2005, 8:26 am

By: News On 6

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) -- A Muskogee police captain is on paid leave after a Jeep he reported stolen five years ago was found on his mother's farm in McIntosh County.

Captain Jim Wooten is on leave pending a criminal investigation and he denies having anything to do with the theft of the Jeep or hiding it on his mother's property.

Police Chief Rex Eskridge says investigators found the Jeep after getting a tip from an informant. Eskridge says it's "very possible" a relative of Wooten's may be involved in the theft and hiding of the vehicle.

The chief says Wooten's insurance company paid him $2,500 and a bank about $18,000 after the Jeep was reported stolen in 2000.

Wooten is a 24-year veteran law officer and was working as night supervisor with the Muskogee Police Department.