Temple Police are investigating the misuse of a police vehicle this afternoon in Center City at 23rd and Market streets.

Executive Director of Campus Safety Services Charlie Leone said a person had picked up the unmarked Ford Explorer for its routine maintenance at Preferred Auto and had used the emergency lights inappropriately on the way to Center City, 

Media outlets had initially reported the car was stolen, but later indicated that the car was taken by a driving service that never notified the university.

“The Philadelphia Police believed the vehicle to be stolen, since the driver was not in police uniform,” Leone said.

He added the driver could face vehicle code violations because he or she was not authorized to use emergency lighting in the vehicle.

“It’s hard to say why they would use the lights, but certainly nothing official,” Leone said.

Julie Christie can be reached at julie.christie@temple.edu or on Twitter @ChristieJules.