Most everybody enjoys a good crime story.

By this, I don’t mean murder and destruction, but those quirky crimes in which no one is hurt and nothing destroyed.

Covering crime can weigh on a person. It’s daunting to read court documents and police reports pertaining to something as tragic as rape or murder. I did it for five years.

While that kind of coverage is necessary, it’s the occasional quirky stories that make crime reporting worthwhile.

Like the time a man stole  auto parts from another man’s shop only to unknowingly show up his place of business later that day and try to sell them back to him. Insert eye roll here.

That was an article I wrote during my last newspaper job.

This week brought such a quirky story.

While it’s unlikely the parties involved are laughing, it seems most of Coupeville is talking about it.

At about 9 p.m. Sunday a man sent police on a four-mile low-speed tractor chase.

Yes, you read correctly — a tractor chase.

The 24-year-old was allegedly  intoxicated and stole a tractor from a neighbor. The chase started on Jacob Road and made its way to State Highway 20 just north of the light in Coupeville.

Speeds did not exceed 15 mph.

The chase involved guns and multiple police cars. The suspect reportedly waved at other motorists as they drove by.

If the scene were in a movie, I have a few suggestions on what kind of background music should be used —  something upbeat and cheerful.

Thankfully, the “chase” ended with no injuries.

I’m sure the tractor owner is thankful to get their equipment back in one piece, and I’m sure the suspect is banging his head against his jail cell wall over the pending charges of eluding police and vehicle theft.

Obviously, while humorous, I don’t condone any criminal activity. But, the story does lend itself to a little levity and offers something to talk about — until next week.

— Megan Hansen is editor for The Whidbey Examiner.