A CAR stolen from Wynnum on Wednesday was found submerged in Tingalpa Creek at Thorneside on Thursday morning.
The Mercedes Benz Vito was recovered from the cold, muddy creek during a lengthy operation.
The car was spotted by a passerby, who notified emergency services.
Divers from Queensland Fire and Emergency Services quickly ensured no one was stuck in the vehicle.
Acting Sergeant Chris Pearson from Capalaba police station said the silver van had been reported stolen during a break-in on Wednesday between 4.30pm and 9pm from a Kitchener Street house.
Air conditioning technician Scott Benson notified emergency services when he saw the top of the vehicle from the bridge as he was driving on Rickertt Road just before 9am on Thursday.
“I was looking to see if anyone was fishing,” he said.
“At first I thought maybe it was a container. It was not normal so I parked and then confirmed it was a car.”
The recovery operation involved Queensland Water Police, the QFES divers and tow truck operators.
The divers placed a winch on the vehicle and it was slowly pulled out of the creek.