Posted on 09/10/2007 2:58:27 PM PDT by arbooz
BAY SHORE, N.Y. - A tire iron-wielding man who police said was looking to mug a senior citizen probably thought he had found an easy target — that is, until the 74-year-old fought back.
Bruce Ferraro had no idea someone was following him as he walked out of a department store at the South Shore Mall on Saturday and got into his car, police said. But then a man pounded on Ferraro's window and demanded cash.
"Ferraro says, 'What, are you kidding me?' and he actually gets out of the car," said Det. Sgt. Thomas Groneman, of the Suffolk County Police Department.
The mugger demanded Ferraro hand over his wallet, calling the Bay Shore resident an "old man" and threatening to hit him with the tire iron, Groneman said.
Instead, Ferraro grabbed the bar and the two fought, until the septaugenarian managed to snatch away the tire iron, police said.
Groneman said Ferraro did "a good job" of disarming his would-be assailant, though he would not recommend other people attempt such a brazen act of self-defense.
Without the weapon, the 32-year-old suspect ran to his car and attempted to drive away, police said. But the vehicle stalled, and the man got out of the car and fled on foot. Ferraro later helped police identify the suspect.
The man was arrested later Saturday at his home in West Babylon. Police charged him with attempted robbery and he was being held on $10,000 bail in Riverhead.
Ferraro's only injury was a scrape on the wrist.
How is a sincere criminal, trying hard, going to get ahead in his profession if his victim fails to cooperate?
Almost all crime depends on the cooperation of the victim.
If the victim refuses his assigned role, the criminal is placed at a disadvantage, one so severe that it usually takes an understanding and compassionate judge to set right.
LAZARUS LONG
I don’t know what they are putting in Geritol these days, but I think I’ll pick up a few bottles next time I’m in town.
Uh oh. NOW, they’re gonna take away our tire irons!!
Soon, it will be forks and butter knives. All I’ll have left is this stupid rubber spoon.
I, on the other hand, would recommend that other people beat the little jerk senseless.
Exactly.
My father is 74. I think he’d do about the same thing. See, Dad’s retired. He gets up and goes to the gym every day, does weight training and cardio work. He’s probably in better shape than me (I don’t go to the gym - no time, I’m working and helping SWMBO to take care of the kids).
I hope that when I’m Dad’s age I’ll be doing the same - and woe to any SOB that tries what this guy did (plus I will - unlike Dad and the guy in the story - be carrying a .45).
Should have bashed the perp with the tire iron after he got it away from him. All folks with grey hair are NOT defenseless. Beware the GREY PANTHERS !!!
Geritol, now with more iron than a tire iron!
Every girl’s crazy ‘bout a iron-wieldin’ man
(apologies to ZZ Top)
I personally recommend a .45ACP applied liberally.
LLS
Even better.
Tire iron - a coupla feet of steel, approximately three-eights by one inch in cross section, with a flattened, smoothed end, used for prying the bead of a (rubber) tire over the lip of the (metal) rim. Bet this guy was actually waving a lug wrench, and I’ll also wager that the AP reporter has never held either a tire iron or a lug wrench in his/her/its hand.
http://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_253174151.html
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/crime/ny-litire115369431sep11,0,6608833.story
The TV story is poorly written, but seems to say that the mugger was 6’4” and 250 lbs. That makes him a big jerk in my book.
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