Rather catches up with thief

Officer tells troops about chance meeting

By REUTERS

What are the odds that you'll run into the man who tried to steal your car 12 years ago, halfway around the world from the scene of the crime, and then interview him for your television broadcast?

CBS said Wednesday that while in Kuwait reporting on preparations for a possible war with Iraq, veteran newsman Dan Rather had a chance encounter with U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Tamarsh Thompson, 27, a pilot in an Apache helicopter squad.

Thompson tried to steal Rather's car from the parking lot of a Fort Worth, Texas, hotel 12 years ago but was caught. Instead of pressing charges, though, Rather had a talk with the young man about his choices in life.

Rather then ran into Thompson while reporting on his squad. The network said Thompson heard Rather was coming and told his fellow troops about their initial meeting, which led to a brief reunion.

"He got his life together and is putting it on the line for his country," Rather said in his report on Wednesday's evening news.