Verbal self-defense

Illustration image - From Flickr.com

At least sort of... Probably more like bi-lingual self-defense.

In any case, this story about a very resourceful bi-lingual young woman is a solid proof as to why language skills can come in handy and save the day when someone attempts to rob you.

The 23-year-old woman managed to keep her wits. She definitely outsmarted and outmaneuvered the attempted robber - that's for sure.

So next time you may begin wondering if spending time to learn more than one language can be beneficial to you - just remember this case... Bi-lingual self-defense :-)

One tough old man!

China -- An 81-year-old man fought back in self-defense was reportedly able to send eight young would-be robbers fleeing in Hong Kong, according to monstersandcritics.com.

The man, identified as Mak, had finished his morning exercise when he was pushed to the ground in an underpass.

This has got to be one tough old guy... After all, three of the teenage attackers - between the ages of 15 and 19 - is said to have been given treatment at a hospital for cuts and bruises after the Sunday incident.

I sincerely hope these young punks have learned a lesson. In any case, I salute you, Mr "Mak Attack".

Coffee to go

Hot liquid can be a great self-defense solution. Hope McDonald's won't be sued this time around for serving their coffee too hot...

Maine -- Portland police said a 25-year-old man's craving for drugs lead to a crime spree that included an attempt to drive of with an ambulance, three armed robberies and attempted theft of a cash register.

The suspect was arrested after he was doused with hot coffee by a McDonald's restaurant employee as he allegedly attempted to steal a cash register, according to wbztv.com.

'Aero-solved'

Illinois -- Without pepper spray to defend himself, a cabdriver was forced to improvise when he was attacked by a knife-wielding passenger early Thursday morning in Elgin. He sprayed the would-be robber in the face with an aerosol deodorant, according to foxnews.com.

Police said said the 51-year-old driver felt something was wrong when the passenger changed his destination. Consequently, he discreetly placed the small canister between his legs.

When the passenger held a large knife to the driver's neck, he sprayed the robber in the eyes, causing him to drop the knife. The passenger then punched the driver, but did not seriously injure him. He took off on foot, leaving the knife behind.

A musical lesson

There are at least two vital lessons to be learned form the story below. First off, you definitely don't want to be messing with 17-year-old marching band girls. If they are armed with a baton, then even more so - stay clear :-)

Secondly - and this is the serious part - the incident really goes to show how effective any kind of weapon can be in a self-defense situation.

Needless to say, I really love stories like this one.

California -- This high school marching band student form Quartz Hill (a high desert community about 40 miles north of Los Angeles) beat up two attackers who attempted to mug her as she was walking to school Friday morning, officials said.

A Sheriff's spokesman said the teenager kicked one man in the groin and punched the other in the nose. She then beat both men into submission with her large baton before running away.

A "pizza the action"

Florida -- A Miramar pizza delivery driver was confronted by armed robbers, according to news.bbc.co.uk and the Florida Sun-Sentinel.

But the 40-year-old intended victim was armed with a weapon of his own ... a large pepperoni pizza.

Reportedly, he flung the hot item at the gunman, then turned hot on his heels and ran. The driver managed to make a safe getaway even though the attempted robbers fired at him as he fled.

I suppose it is perfectly OK to waste good food as long as it is for a worthy cause like this one?

One man, one plant, one plan

This is just too funny - and too stupid I might add... You just have to watch the video - it's hilarious! Oh, and if the video clip is gone when you get there, just contact me and I'll provide it.

A would-be robber enters a store in DeLand, Florida. And what is his weapon of choice? A palm frond :-)

I don't know if this works in the guy's favor or not, but anyhow his claim is $50. Well, at least he's being specific about it.

The incident ends when a customer chases the man out the door with ... a gun? No, a bar stool :-) Like I said, you need to watch this video!

A chair affair

Hawaii -- In Honolulu, Honoluluadvertiser.com reported about a man using a chair to defend himself when another man assaulted him with a skateboard and attempted to rob him at knife point.

The 54-year-old intended victim was reportedly able to fend off the younger attacker by using his chair until witnesses intervened and police arrived.

A chair can be used in primarily three ways as a defence tool. First it is possible to use the chair as a whole to hit an aggressor.

Then, you may (sometimes) be able to break of parts of the chair -- one of the legs usually works best -- to use as a club.

Finally, you can use it to push, or "catch" the aggressor -- think of the legs as four "fangs". If you hold the chair with the four legs pointing away from you, it is possible to avoid being kicked, punched or stabbed. Also, the attacker can be pushed and held against a wall.

This last scenario has occurred at psychiatric hospital and other places as well.

Message (with) a bottle

I guess the bottle of coke won this round... :-)

Story:
Florida -- It is reported that a woman and her bottle of coke were unharmed after fighting off a robber armed with an umbrella in Tampa, according to abcactionnews.com

Police said a mother and daughter team armed with an umbrella attempted to rob the woman who fought back with a bottle of Coca-Cola.

The 44-year-old victim was attacked as she was getting into her car at a food mart. The 45 year old female robber threatened the victim with an umbrella, telling her to hand over her purse.

Using a formidable 2-liter Coke bottle, the intended victim fought back, hitting the robber several times, police said.

The umbrella wielding robber was forces to flee -- without the purse -- in a vehicle reportedly driven by her 26-year-old daughter.

Ruined robber's day

Robber's day ... is that something akin to St. Patricks Day, or Remembrance Day? It seems only fair that the robber's get their own day...
My bad jokes and similar bad taste aside, this 84-year-old guy really made my day. Sweet!

California -- A teenager may have been fooled by his intended victim's appearance. The would-be robber threatened an 84-year-old Santa Rosa man with a knife Wednesday afternoon, saying he wanted the man's wallet, according to pressdemocrat.com.

The elderly target put his grocery bags down. He then informed the young man he had been threatened by knives and bayonets before -- having fought in three wars as a U.S. Marine. He made it quite clear that the teen would be sorry if he came too close.

When the would-be robber stepped toward him, he proved his point by kicked the young criminal in the groin, according to police.

The teenager, who was estimated to be 15 or 16 years old, was reportedly left doubled over on the sidewalk around 1:15 p.m.

A fight for life

It is worth repeating; someone who believe they are fighting for their life has a tremendous amount of strength. The same goes if you decide you will not be taken down.
Is it always possible to fight back, or is it always wise to fight back? Of course not. Still, stories like this one here is a reminder of our possibilities in what may be called a worst case scenario.

Story
Canada.com reported about a 53-year-old convicted robber and rapist who attempted to rob a convenience store in Windsor, Ontario. Using a fake gun, plus a rather odd disguise made up of wig, heart-shaped shades, cowboy hat and fake beard - he lost what was referred to as a violent struggle with the 34-year-old diminutive female clerk.

A superior court judge told how the clerk thought she was going to be raped and perhaps killed. Lacerated and bloody, she believed she was fighting for both her sexual integrity and her life, the court heard.

The case prosecutor said the woman "fought valiantly" against the man. He struck the woman and held her down. But she fought back, scratching and biting the assailant, leaving "telltale marks" that police saw when he was later arrested.

The attempted robbery and rape failed because the female clerk got the better of a much larger, heavier and stronger man, the judge said.

The man walked into the store in September 2005 and demanded the keys to the place from the clerk, so that he could lock them both inside. The court was told how the man, in addition to his disguise and weapon, had a bag filled with duct tape, a knife and fake bomb.

A police report explained how the woman struggled the fake gun away from the attacker and actually hit him with it.The man fled the store after the fight, leaving his bag behind.

Crying robber

This is just too funny...
A guy tries to rob a salesman - receives a fist by his intended victim, and takes off crying. Guess he went straight to his mum for comfort.

Story:
In Gloucester, a 32-year-old salesman punched a would-be robber trying to steal his laptop at around 2:30 p.m. on February 19, according to a police spokesperson.

The salesman was allegedly knocking on a door when the offender came up behind him and pushed him.

"The would-be robber then demanded he hand over his computer and mobile phone," the spokesperson said.

The intended victim punched the offender and he is reported to have run off empty-handed and crying.

Another "stick-up"

North Carolina -- A 62-year-old Shelby man told police two males attempted to rob him using a BB gun, according to police reports.

The intended victim said he was shot in the leg and forehead, but still managed to fend off the would-be robbers with a stick, according to shelbystar.com.

'I-knee-do' #1

Great fighting spirit in this "older" guy! If it is totally wise to fight back at that point is another matter all together. I suppose the "spirit" just came over him.

Story:
Pennsylvania -- In Sunbury, an older church leader fought off a would-be robber as he left the church Wednesday night.

The man explained he had finished locking the doors and was walking down a ramp when he saw a man wearing a black mask.

When he was asked for money, the church leader said he didn't have any. However, the man said he was going to check the church leader's pockets anyway.

The church leader, with what he described "just a moment to think", kneed the main in the groin, and punched him to the face. He then ran to his car parked nearby and locked himself inside.

A police spokesman said the criminal took off booking down an alley after the confrontation with the intended victim.

Tables turned

I wouldn't be at all surprised if the young man here - at least in some states and countries - could end up being charged with assault with a deadly weapon.
Bass ackwords? You bet. You have to be kind to the criminals! You know ... a hug never harmed anyone.

Story from presstelegram.com:
An 18-year-old employee was slicing chicken in the back of a restaurant in Long Beach, California when he heard a commotion at the register.

There, he witnessed his 41-year-old boss struggling with a robber. A 33-year-old suspect had allegedly entered the eatery at about 5 p.m. and demanded money from the cashier behind the counter, a police spokeswoman said.

The robber was wearing a big jacket with a hood and holding his hand up as if he were carrying a gun. When the owner had trouble opening the register, the suspect jumped over the counter and was struggling with the owner, police said.

When the 18-year-old employee came out, he acted instantly to help his boss, stabbing the suspect in the lower abdomen with a kitchen knife, police said.

The robber was transported to a local hospital and is expected to live. Officers found that he was not carrying any weapons.

'My-key-do' #6

Michigan State University police are investigating an attempted carjacking which occurred between 4:30 p.m. and 5:10 p.m. on Thursday, statenews.com reports.

A 22-year-old female student reported that an unknown male approached her car, grabbed her arm and tried to steal the keys to her car.

The student fought off the suspect and scratched him in the left cheek with her keys. The suspect then fled the scene and the woman drove off.

Locking doors

Pennsylvania -- Pennlive.com reports about a woman who escaped early Wednesday because her car doors were locked when two men tried to rob her.

The 46-year-old woman, 46 was stopped along a Carlisle street just before 1:30 a.m. when one of the would-be robbers grabbed the handle of her driver's side door. When they found the door was locked, the men began yelling and demanding money, police said.

The woman didn't panic. She drove off and called police as soon as she could.

Martial arts skills

Here's a great story about 73-year-old Bill Garner from Columbus, Ohio who used his martial arts skills to send two would-be robbers running.

According to a report, two armed men tried to force their way into his home at about 7 a.m. The home owner said one of the men put a gun in his face and demanded to go inside.

Instead of complying with the men's demands, Garner decided to fight back. "I didn't let them in the house," Garner said. "What was I supposed to do? Were they supposed to get into my house?"

The man said he fought back using martial arts."They were surprised because I knew karate, you know?" Garner said."

After a short struggle, the two men fled from the home, the report said."I'm 73 years old, I know karate, I know judo, I know everything," Garner said. "Nobody comes into my house
without my permission."

On a side-note I must add that stories like this also make me both sad and furious. It's a crying shame that decent senior citizens can't be treated with the kind of respect they rightfully deserve.

Street-wise

Here's a great example of being street-wise, using your awareness and being prepared.
It also clearly shows how a perpetrator often times will ask an intended victim questions before striking.
I must add I'm full of praise for this young woman!

Gilbert, Arizona -- As a 21-year-old female walked home around 12:40 a.m. on Thursday, she became suspicious when she saw a truck parked with its door open and no one visible inside, azcentral.com reports.

The woman said she removed her knife from her pocket "just in case." It was then that a 22-year-old suspect ran at the young woman and first asked her for a cigarette and then to
borrow her cellphone.

The woman said she didn't answer him either time and kept walking, but had flipped open the
knife's blade. The intended victim said she carries her Winchester pocketknife everywhere, "because you just never know."

The suspect then grabbed her purse and started pulling it and her with it, the woman said. "He was just tugging me and the purse, and I just started slashing at him," she said. She's not sure how many times she slashed the attacker, but said she wasn't going to stop until he quit.

"I must have got him good because he finally left," the woman said, adding that she knew she was fighting for her life and her unborn child. The young woman said she is three months pregnant.

She said the men "messed with the wrong girl" and credited growing up in Chicago for being tough.

Another fire

Florida -- Deputies say a purse snatching was foiled on Monday when the 59-year-old victim fought back. The crime occurred in front of a supermarket in Englewood.

Reportedly, two late teen males tried to grab the woman's purse. The intended victim struggled with them and as they tried to pull her purse free she started yelling "Fire!" This spooked the "would-be robbers" and they took off, according to deputies.