BRYAN, Brazos County – Bryan police officers found themselves handling a strange case Friday after a thief stole a hearse with a body inside it, then dumped the body on the side of a road, police said.

A funeral home employee parked the hearse at a McDonald's early Friday morning and left it temporarily unattended, police said. The employee told police that's when the thief jumped into the vehicle and drove away.

The hearse had a body inside that was being transported by the funeral home.

Police said a passerby found a gurney with a body a few hours later in the 6000 block of Dick Elliott Rd in Brazos County.

Police said the body was recovered and returned to the funeral home.

Police are still looking for the hearse.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Bryan Police Department at 979-209-5300 or Crime Stoppers at 979-775-TIPS.