Tim, we need to know your general geographical location and what this beetle was doing when you found it. Was it in the garden or in the house? It looks very small, is it?

I'm in South Central Kansas, and the tiny beetle was walking across my front porch.

Yeah, sorry about that. I tried putting obstacles in it's way to slow it down or stop it, but it was a busy little beetle.

This actually reminds me of a bug (not a beetle but a true bug) I used to encounter in Texas a lot. I don't remember anything about it though, just "hey I know that guy!".

Find another one and hold him down! :)

It's coming back to me...google images of the various burrowing bugs. That's what I'm reminded of.

You are correct, Fori. I Googled it, and it is a burrowing bug; a Two Lined Burrowing Bug to be exact. Check out this web link: https://texasinsects.tamu.edu/hemiptera/burrowing-bug/

Good to know. The image is fuzzy but it felt so familiar.