Senior Crimefighter

I just love stories like this. A 72-year old Long Island man fought off a 21-year old attacker who barged into the house demanding money. Sadly, the younger man was sent to rob the place by the nephew of the homeowner according to police. Both the would-be robber and the mastermind are in jail awaiting trial.

"I don't know how I got the power," said the victim, Reinaldo Herrera.

Herrera was working on his outdoor Christmas light display Tuesday afternoon when Santos Zelaya, 21, followed him into his suburban home on Long Island and confronted him with what turned out to be a pellet gun, police said. Herrera believed it was a real firearm.

Demanding cash and jewelry, Zelaya tore down Herrera's living room Christmas tree and Nativity scene, Detective Lt. Raymond Cote said.

"Jesus, Mary and the wise men all fell to the ground," Cote said.

Herrera was pushed to the ground, but he managed to fight back.

"I punched him many, many times, (and) he punched me," the 5-foot-6-inch-tall supermarket worker said. "He got afraid."

It is a good thing when these older people teach young thugs that age does not necessarily mean that one is helpless. Fortunately, we still have a right to defend ourselves in this country, unlike Britain. Over there, Herrera would probably be sitting in the jail cell.

categories Criminal Masterminds | Gaius Thursday, 29 November , 2007

Other Links to this Post

WordPress Themes