Tobacco spit catches truck thief

A US man who stole a lorry was arrested after he choked on the truck driver's tobacco spit which he mistook for a drink.

The 26-year-old man stole the lorry, which had been left with the engine running, from a shopping centre in Vancouver, Washington.

He mistook the absent driver's tobacco-spit cup for a soft drink and took a swig, reports the Columbian.

The thief started choking and had to stop and call 911 for medical help, according to a Vancouver police department report.

Meanwhile, the driver, who had left the truck to wash his hands, had returned to see someone driving off and called police who quickly caught up with the man.