Anchorage Daily News

FAIRBANKS -- Fairbanks police say a 75-year-old man helped catch a man who stole his friend's car.

Ted Weiler and the car owner, T.J. Rogers, were at a potluck Thanksgiving dinner Thursday night at the Big I bar when the theft occurred.

As Rogers waited for police, Weiler quietly left to search for the dark blue Toyota Scion, which had been left unlocked with the key in the ignition.

"Since I wasn't drinking, I decided to go out looking for it," Weiler said.

He searched a while in his own vehicle, then headed back to the bar.

That's when he saw what looked like his friend's car going in the opposite direction.

Weiler called police and tailed the Toyota.

"He kept making turns like he knew I was following him," Weiler said. "I'm sure he was wondering what this guy in this ugly pickup was doing. It certainly doesn't look like a police car."

When officers showed up, 41-year-old Benson Burns of Anchorage was arrested on charges of vehicle theft, felony driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license.

Sgt. Robert Thompson said Burns refused to take his hands out of his pockets, so he was Tasered to be taken into custody.

Thompson said Weiler did the right thing given the circumstances.

"If it's safe to do so, don't lose track of the vehicle," Thompson said. "It can travel quite a distance in that time before an officer arrives."

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