Hero of the Day: Ellen Basinski

From the Cleveland suburb of Elyria we get this story with a happy ending:

Ellen Basinski refused to be intimidated by a man and three boys who forced their way into her house on Columbus Street and demanded money.

"One of them picked up my purse and just dumped it out," she said Wednesday. "Now, my purse is like Fibber McGee's closet, it's got everything in there. I got very angry." Before she even gave much thought about what she should do, she grabbed an Emeril Lagasse 5-quart sauce pan. "I picked up the saucepan and smacked him right on the head," she said. "He looked at me and said, 'Lady, why did you do that?' And I hit him again."

The intruders realized Basinski was no easy prey and ran. They didn't get far. The four were quickly caught by police with the help of neighbors who told police where they ran.

Police arrested Patrick Kostal, 18, and three juveniles, ages 17, 16 and 15. All four are from Elyria and were charged with a felony count of aggravated burglary.

Good for you Mrs. Basinski. Bullies aren't used to people, especially older people, standing up to them.

Crooks need to get the message that older folks aren't the easy marks they expect. Earlier today I called a friend from church who is in his mid-80's and his wife said he would have to call me back as he was in the basement doing his daily weight lifting.