guy was watching vigilante film 'death wish' when it happened. probably why it was reported at all. do the math on how many instances go unreported because a) no hook like watdching 'death wish' at time of break in and b) victims not 73
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http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/new...20Headline=Man,+73,+kills+robber+holding+shears+to+w<br%20/>ife's+neck
Man, 73, kills robber holding shears to wife's neck
By BILL BRYAN
Post-Dispatch
11/20/2003
Police officers privately
praised the outcome
of North County shooting
A man in north St. Louis County was home watching "Death Wish," a movie about a vigilante who hunts down criminals, when he saw his wife held hostage by a robber holding shears at her neck.
Allowed to get his wallet, the homeowner retrieved his pistol instead and shot the intruder to death, county police said Wednesday after sorting out details of the previous evening's incident.
It happened about 8 p.m. Tuesday in the 11500 block of Lares Drive, a usually quiet neighborhood just east of New Halls Ferry Road and north of Interstate 270.
The residents asked police not to reveal their names. The man and family members declined interview requests.
Police gave this account:
An intruder, 26, broke into the home through a basement window and tore down a curtain to tie over his face as a mask. The woman encountered him in the basement and he forced her up the stairs to confront her husband.
Police said the husband, 73, was watching the movie on TV when the stranger approached, demanding money and holding 4-inch shears to the throat of the woman, also 73.
The homeowner told the intruder he had to get his wallet from the bedroom, but he got a handgun instead. When he emerged, she pulled away and he opened fire.
The robber grabbed the wife again and pulled her through the front door with him, but then let her go and ran. He collapsed across the street, where he was pronounced dead.
The woman was treated for minor injuries at a hospital and released.
The dead robber was identified through fingerprints, but his name was withheld pending notification of relatives.
Privately, police officers praised the outcome, saying that burglars should take a lesson from it.
County detectives said they believed the dead burglar might be responsible for other home invasions and burglaries.
Earl Garvin, a neighbor, said he had known the homeowner for 30 years. "He's such a nice man. He's a very fine guy."
Reporter Bill Bryan:
E-mail:
bbryan@post-dispatch.com
Phone: 314-340-8950