A Belleville, Illinois man was arrested after a sheriff's deputy saw him hitchhiking down a highway carrying a stolen chainsaw.
Deputies responded to a report of a burglary in progress, and the victims reported that a man had stolen their chainsaw and was walking towards Illinois 15.
The victims watched the man leave while they called 911.
Deputy Russ Taylor headed down Illinois 15 and spotted 42-year-old Donald Aten walking out of the woods with the chainsaw in his hand.
Aten stuck out his thumb to indicate he was looking for a ride.
Taylor told him to put the chainsaw on the ground and put his hands on the car.
Aten followed directions, but asked Taylor if the cell phone he dropped had been found. Then he wondered out loud if Taylor was going to take him home.
Taylor's report indicated that Aten appeared very intoxicated.
Aten was charged with burglary and felony theft and is being held at the St. Clair County Jail on $75,000 bond.
The victims later identified the chainsaw as their own. Deputies found Aten's phone at the scene.
