CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS This rare replica 1966 Ford GT40 was reported stolen earlier this week. But authorities found the vehicle, painted black, and the suspect connected to the theft Thursday morning.

A Marshalltown man is behind bars after he was found operating a rare sports car that had been reported stolen earlier this week.

Marshalltown Police Chief Mike Tupper said officers arrested Patrick Allen Chamberlin, 48, Thursday morning after a citizen’s tip led them to his whereabouts and the missing car.

The vehicle, a replica 1966 Ford GT40 had been reported stolen on Tuesday by its owner. On Wednesday, the MPD issued a request via social media asking the public for any information related to the case. Numerous hits on both the city of Marshalltown’s Facebook page as well as the Times-Republican’s Facebook page, followed by shared posts throughout social media, were evident throughout the day Wednesday and Wednesday night.

“We received a tip (Thursday morning) from a citizen who said they thought they saw the car and gave us a location,” Tupper said. “We were able to spot the car … the suspect was operating the car at the time and he pulled over.”

The car, originally a bright yellow, had been altered in its appearance, Tupper said, but added that because “it’s such a unique car, it’s impossible not to recognize it or notice it.”

Chamberlin was initially charged with first-degree theft, two counts of possession of a controlled substance (third or subsequent offense) and three miscellaneous traffic offenses. However, he was subsequently charged with a variety of additional charges on other separate criminal cases that coincidentally were handed down via arrests warrants on Thursday, including ongoing criminal conduct, 13 counts of forgery, four counts of fourth-degree theft, nine counts of fifth-degree theft and additional miscellaneous traffic offenses.

“Our officers have worked very hard to try to bring these cases to a resolution,” Tupper said. “I’ve very proud of the police work that has been done.”

Meanwhile, the owner of the car, Marshall County Supervisor Steve Salasek, said he was thankful with the outcome in the case.

In a Facebook post to the public, Salasek wrote: “Thank you MPD and the community for assisting in recovering my GT40! The damages are fixable … It was painted black, looks like with a roller, but otherwise undamaged.

“I’m just elated,” the supervisor added in an interview with the T-R. “Those guys (MPD officers) are rock stars. I never thought I’d see that car again.”

Chamberlin is currently being held in the Marshall County Jail.

The investigation is ongoing.