COLUMBUS, Ind. — Bartholomew County Sheriff deputies arrested a local man who was accused of stealing a truck and trailer after a citizen followed him and blocked his getaway from the parking lot of a nearby restaurant.
Deputies were sent to a reported vehicle theft at 9:02 a.m. Wednesday in the area of 10080 N. U.S. 31 in Taylorsville. A 64-year-old man from Elwood said he had stopped for gasoline at the Circle K station and left his keys inside the vehicle while going inside to pay, deputies said.
He then saw his red, GMC pickup truck, with a 30-foot flatbed trailer, being driven away, deputies said.
The suspect, Timothy Wilder Jr., 31, Edinburgh, took the truck when he saw the man go inside the gas station, deputies said. A 60-year old Taylorsville man who saw Wilder drive away in the pickup followed him to the parking lot of a nearby restaurant where he blocked the stolen vehicle with Wilder inside and held him until authorities arrived, deputies said.
Wilder remains in the Bartholomew County Jail on a 48-hour hold.
Sheriff Matt Myers said Wilder has a long history of criminal behavior. Deputies said Wilder told them after his arrest he “was simply having a bad day.”
Myers reminded residents that auto theft is a Level 6 felony offense.
“I’m sure we’ve all left our keys in our cars at one time or another but please make sure you take your keys with you anytime you are leaving your vehicle”, said Chief Deputy Maj. Chris Lane.
For more on this story, see Thursday’s Republic.
