Battle Creek police said Wednesday they have closed an investigation and won't seek charges against a man who stole a police car on July 22.

Police said the semi-marked black Dodge Charger was taken from outside the police station on N. Division Street sometime after 10 p.m.

Police found the car the next day and said a 35-year-old man with mental health issues who lives in an adult foster care home on Mary Street told officers he took the car.

The man told police he was walking, believed he was being chased by people in white hats and saw the car and believed it would be safe to hide inside. He then found a key fob, started the car and drove to a dollar store on Main Street before parking the car at the Community Action Agency at 175 Main St.

The next morning the man said he drove the car to Lakeview Square Mall and then to a coffee shop downtown before returning it to the Community Action Agency parking lot where police found the vehicle.

Police said the man told officers he didn't understand why it was wrong to take the car and offered to drive it back to the police station. Officers declined that offer.

More news:

Police: Woman found sleeping in fire station may have fled abuser

Police evacuate rail yard, stadium after suspicious bag found

Call Silent Observer at 269-964-3888 or text CRIMES (274637) SOTIP or see www.crimereports.com with information about crimes.