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Elderly Woman Chases Burglars
The Tyler Morning Telegraph ^ | January 29, 2003 | Jacque Hilburn

Posted on 01/30/2003 8:02:14 PM PST by primeval patriot

An 82-year-old woman pulled a shotgun on two burglars Tuesday and chased them from her home Tuesday after they barged inside, claiming to be roofing inspectors.

Authorities are alarmed.

And on Wednesday, they issued a strong warning to seniors and others to remain wary of what has becoming a continuing burglary scheme targeting the elderly.

"People need to keep their doors locked," said Lt. Craig Shelton, Smith County Sheriff's Office. "If someone comes to the door that you don't recognize, talk through the door - don't open it. If they persist in trying to come in, call 911."

Thus far, more than half a dozen residents have reported unknown white male suspects have entered their homes, claiming they needed to inspect the roof for leaks as part of a warranty agreement.

Once inside, they created a distraction and then stole wallets, cash and billfolds while the homeowners were not looking.

That same method of operation was used Tuesday at a home on Neches Parkway after unknown suspects approached the woman, claiming they wanted to inspect earlier roof work for leaks, Smith County sheriff's officials said.

She refused, but they moved her aside and barged inside.

"She followed one into a bedroom," Shelton said. "Then she remembered she left one in the living room. She went back and found him digging in her purse."

Authorities said she punched the man on his back and shouted at him to "get out of there."

"He hollered and stood up and she grabbed a shotgun," Shelton said.

The spry senior chased the man outside and stomped down the hall in search of the second suspect, who was rifling through her belongings.

"She confronted the guy in the bedroom and took off," Shelton said.

The pair fled in a newer-model, red extended-cab pickup, taking the woman's wallet and checkbook with them.

The pair are described as white males in their 20s with close-cut, shaved hairstyles. They were last seen wearing black shirts and blue jeans.

A lawn mower was observed in the rear of the truck.

Authorities theorize the suspects may also be linked to incidents reported last week in Tyler.

"One woman reported that two men claiming to work for Garcia's Roofing came to her home on Lingner Street to inspect for damage," said Chris Moore, Tyler police public information officer. "The woman had not called them, but allowed them in when one told her he was an inspector."

A similar occurrence happened at a home on Martin Luther King Boulevard, records show.

So far, no one has been injured in the incidents, officials said.

But the suspects are becoming more brazen.

Last week, they snatched a Smith County man's checkbook as they left.

At another home, one man climbed a woman's cable pole. As she protested from the ground below, a second suspect entered the home and grabbed her wallet.

Last week's suspects, who also targeted residents in Tyler, were described as white males in a two-toned brown truck, records show

Authorities acknowledge it could be only a matter of time before someone gets hurt.

Some people are taking steps to increase their sense of personal safety.

Smith County is ranked among the top five counties in the number of concealed weapons permit holders, records show.

Firearms instructor Jay Carson, who teaches conceal carry classes at Lock and Load Indoor Shooting Range, 3408 SSW Loop 323, said he's noticed a sudden upsurge in the number of people seeking firearms for personal protection.

Many of them are seniors, he said.

"I had a 72-year-old lady last week getting a concealed handgun permit," he said. "She's not the only one."

Most of his Wednesday night classes are filled with women of all ages seeking to increase their peace of mind through gun ownership.

Carson said also the number of people signing up to re-qualify for their weapons is swelling to the point that they are making extra space available to accommodate them.

"We literally are turning them away," he said. "There's that many of them signing up for the re-qualifying class. Criminals tend to look for easy targets - people don't want to be one of them."

Jacque Hilburn covers police, fire, and public safety organizations. She can be reached at 903.596.6282. e-mail: news@tylerpaper.com



TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: bang; banglist; crime; deterrent; elderly; gun; itworked; old; protection; selfdefense; shotgun; woman
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Contrast this with how burglars are dealt with in the U.K.

Too bad granny didn't waste 'em.

I get the feeling the perps haven't learned anything and will try again soon.

1 posted on 01/30/2003 8:02:14 PM PST by primeval patriot
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To: primeval patriot; bang_list
82-year-old woman pulled a shotgun on two burglars Tuesday and chased them from her home

Go Granny go Granny go Granny GO!

2 posted on 01/30/2003 8:05:36 PM PST by petuniasevan (Now imagine her possible fate WITHOUT that shotgun...)
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To: primeval patriot; dd5339; cavtrooper21
An 82-year-old woman pulled a shotgun on two burglars Tuesday and chased them from her home Tuesday after they barged inside, claiming to be roofing inspectors.

OohRah! You GO girl!

3 posted on 01/30/2003 8:08:57 PM PST by Vic3O3
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To: dd5339
A good TX ping! Somebody ought to make sure the NRA's Armed Citizen column gets this one!
4 posted on 01/30/2003 8:10:50 PM PST by Vic3O3
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To: primeval patriot
This sounds like Irish Travelers.... Same group that child-beating woman belongs to.

Traveling band of thieves and rogues.
5 posted on 01/30/2003 8:18:04 PM PST by Humidston (Do not remove this tag under penalty of law)
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To: All
This lady was a scream re-enacting the incident for the local T.V. news.

She was waving around an ancient 12 or 16 gauge single-shot gun.

6 posted on 01/30/2003 8:22:58 PM PST by primeval patriot (It's people like you wot cause unrest!)
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To: Humidston
This sounds like Irish Travelers.

You may be right. Scamming and petty thievery is their M.O.

7 posted on 01/30/2003 8:27:17 PM PST by primeval patriot (It's people like you wot cause unrest!)
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To: Vic3O3
They better be glad they didn't run into my mom! No guns , but they would have departed with a good set of racket lumps, if they left at all!!!
Oh, and these guys are going to get smoked if they don't quit now. The next scatter-gun toting senior may not be so even tempered! Go grand-ma!
8 posted on 01/30/2003 8:28:58 PM PST by cavtrooper21
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To: petuniasevan; *bang_list
http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list
9 posted on 01/30/2003 8:31:57 PM PST by Free the USA (Stooge for the Rich)
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To: Humidston
You mean GYPSYS
10 posted on 01/30/2003 8:35:33 PM PST by giznort
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To: giznort
That's what I used to call them, but actually after the woman was busted for beating her little girl, there was much discussion here about there being a difference in the two groups. Many insisted there are two distinct and separate groups - one gypsy one Irish traveler.

I say a crook is a crook is a crook. ;-)
11 posted on 01/30/2003 8:42:51 PM PST by Humidston (Do not remove this tag under penalty of law)
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To: primeval patriot
said Lt. Craig Shelton, Smith County Sheriff's Office. , call 911."

And we will get there when we get there..
........meanwhile......
12 posted on 01/30/2003 8:49:43 PM PST by joesnuffy
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To: joesnuffy
Which one worked, 911 or 12 gauge?

Go granny. (You coulda shot them, it's TEXAS!)
13 posted on 01/30/2003 9:08:02 PM PST by CPOSharky (Therapist for those hockey-puck irrational numbers)
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To: joesnuffy
A lawn mower was observed in the rear of the truck.

I'm a senior, also living in East Texas, and if they try that cr@p around here, the LEOs will BOLO for a red pickup with lots of holes in the rear! (That is, if the punks make it as far as the truck...)

14 posted on 01/30/2003 9:09:38 PM PST by TXnMA ((No Longer!!!))
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To: primeval patriot
This could definately be a win-win situation. Granny could rid the streets of two more scum, and if they lock her up, she spends the rest of her days getting warm housing, her food cooked for her, and first class medical care. I doubt that she'd mind.
15 posted on 01/30/2003 9:13:21 PM PST by holyscroller (Why are Liberal female media types always ugly to boot?)
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To: holyscroller; TXnMA
As TXnMA was quick to point out, This IS Texas, and out there in Tyler she might not even be charged, much less sent to trial. Prison, Oh! not even! She more than likely would be given an award! Might have to ask for some help cleaning up, but I doubt it....
16 posted on 01/30/2003 9:45:14 PM PST by cavtrooper21
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To: holyscroller
if they lock her up

She would've been no-billed by a grand jury even if she hacked them to death with a meat cleaver.

Force your way into someone's home in Texas and you will meet your maker.

17 posted on 01/30/2003 9:52:02 PM PST by primeval patriot (It's people like you wot cause unrest!)
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To: primeval patriot
Authorities said she punched the man on his back and shouted at him to "get out of there."
"He hollered and stood up and she grabbed a shotgun,"


Good for YOU!!
18 posted on 01/30/2003 9:56:53 PM PST by Sweet_Sunflower29 (WANTED-- witty quip for personal tag line-- Willing to pay top $$$-- Inquire within)
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To: joesnuffy
I have personally known Craig Shelton since we were kids. I have no doubt that He warned Her to take no chances, next time drop the bastards in their tracks.
19 posted on 01/30/2003 10:00:07 PM PST by forest6147
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To: primeval patriot
Contrast this with how burglars are dealt with in the U.K.

I was about to say, if she was in the UK she'd be in jail! I dare the left to start attacking grannies and others who defend their homes here in the US. They'll be even closer to being out of power for good!

20 posted on 01/30/2003 10:02:02 PM PST by Fledermaus
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