Ram's claim that its mechanical bull had been stolen deemed false, sheriff says

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Bucking HEMI® at the 10th annual MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge. Photo via Stellantis.

(FOX 2) - This story has been updated to include new details from police, which determined the reports that the theft of the mechanical bull were false. 

After a car company stated their one-of-a-kind mechanical bull had been stolen, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office is squashing claims that the report is legitimate.

Stellantis car brand Ram said in a news release that the ride had been stolen during disassembly over the weekend. When FOX 2 reached out to police, law enforcement said the claim was false. It is now investigating whether the company broke the law by filing a false police report. 

The backstory:

A press release from the automotive brand Ram alleged someone had stolen their one-of-a-kind mechanical bull that had been at a racing event in Pontiac over the weekend.

Stellantis reported that on Saturday night at approximately 9:45 p.m. someone had made off with their "Bucking HEMI" after it had been disassembled. It allegedly happened after an event at Road Kill Nights.

The news release quoted CEO Tim Kuniskis saying "This is bull****. Our Bucking HEMI was taken on Saturday evening. The search is officially on, and we won't stop searching until we get him back."

The company included that it was working with local law enforcement and that a formal report had been filed with local police. 

Mechanical Bull theft report deemed"false"

Catching up:

When asked for comment, the Oakland County Sheriff said the theft never happened.

In a press release from the sheriff's office, Michael Bouchard said detectives were dispatched after a theft report had been filed, later determining the theft never happened. 

"…the item actually was in the possession of people at the company."

"The company never actually lost the bull," Bouchard said in a statement. "I find this to be very frustrating and a tremendous waste of valuable investigative time. Now, we’re pivoting to see if a crime was committed by the filing of a false police report."

However, the sheriff added the case remained under investigation.

The other side:

When reached for comment, Ram told FOX 2 the police report they filed was legitimate, and instead the contractors that tore down the event could not find the machine. 

It was later found days later after the story was posted online, when a contractor stepped forward and admitted they had it. It was found 650 miles away and is expected to be returned to the company by Thursday.