Published: November 04, 2009 09:57 pm      

Partygoer accused of stealing car, tow vehicle

BERLIN — A Berlin man stole a car, ran it into a ditch and then drove off with the truck that was to tow the car, police said.

James Edward Seifert Jr. was charged Tuesday with theft, receiving stolen property and unauthorized use of an auto.

In a court document, state police in Somerset said Seifert attended a party in Brothersvalley Township. He left the residence after a few hours of drinking and drove off with another man’s Chevrolet Chevette.

The owner chased him on foot for about 100 yards before the car traveled off the road into a ditch.

The owner of the home where the party was held offered to pull the car from the ditch with his 1992 Chevrolet pickup. But as the chain was being hooked to the car, Seifert jumped into the truck and drove away, troopers said.

The truck was recovered in a Berlin cemetery.

Seifert was arraigned by District Judge Douglas Bell of Meyersdale and freed on $1,000 unsecured bond.