Claiming he needed money for gas, cigarettes and food, a Pierceton man allegedly stole a drill from a Warsaw store, but was caught when a passerby followed him until police arrived.

Wesley C. Korn, 45, of 5985 Old Road 30E, Pierceton, is being held in the Kosciusko County Jail on preliminary charges of driving while suspended and theft from a business. His bond is set at $350.

According to a Warsaw Police Department report, Korn allegedly removed a cordless drill from its case at Ace Hardware on East Center Street and employees reportedly saw him leave the store with the item under his coat.

A Warsaw resident was pulling into the parking lot of the business when he saw Korn "leaving in a hurry" and noticed that people were chasing him. The resident told police he felt something was wrong, so he called authorities on his cellular telephone and followed Korn's vehicle until police caught up with him.

The resident followed Korn through the city and across U.S. 30 at Parker Street before heading southbound on CR 175E, then eastbound on Old Road 30. Police took over in the area of CR 325E on Old Road 30, where Korn was stopped and ordered out of his vehicle.

Prior to the traffic stop, Korn's car reportedly swerved off the road and back on in an area where a drill was later located. When asked why he went off the road, Korn reportedly said, "You saw me throw something, didn't you?" He also informed police that his driver's license was probably suspended.

Korn reportedly told police he planned to pawn the $200 drill. The item, although slightly damaged from being thrown from the car, was returned to Ace Hardware.

The incident occurred about 10:30 a.m. Thursday and Korn was booked into the KCJ at noon. [[In-content Ad]]