In just a few weeks, Bunny Bennaleel will be 80 years old, or in her case, 80 years young. We could easily be telling you a story about how she was beaten and robbed inside of her own home -- instead this is a story of someone who said enough is enough.
With a scarf around her silver-gray hair, Bunny looks like a nice little old lady. But, as one would-be burglar recently learned, looks can be deceiving.
"I said, 'I don't think you belong in here, and I'm going to call the police,'" Bunny said.
It was just over a week ago when Bunny returned to her south Philadelphia apartment. She opened the door and discovered that someone else was inside.
"When I turned around, he's standing in back of me and he says, 'You called the police, didn't you?' And I remember exactly what I said to him. I said, 'Damn right. I called the police, and get out of here,'" Bunny told NBC 10 News.
The feisty 79-year-old pointed to the door and to her surprise the intruder walked out with Bunny right on his heels.
"He gets on the bike and he turns around and he says, 'I'm going to get you for this,' and I said, 'Go to hell,'" Bunny remembered.
The man was headed east on South Street and that's the last time Bunny saw him.
"A lot of people say, 'That was very foolish. Why did you do it?' Well, it was instinct with me and, damn, I'm sick of what they do to elderly people," Bunny said.
Police are now searching for the suspect who stole $70 and a watch from Bunny's apartment. She said the cops couldn't believe what she did.
"One fellow said, 'I was a tough old broad.' What do you think? I think I am 49," Bunny confided.
And what does she think about the burglar?
"I'm sure that's what he thought, 'This old woman is a pushover.' Well, I wasn't, and I won't be. Don't tread on me," Bunny laughed.
Bunny has since moved from that apartment. Police said her action probably prevented others in her building from being robbed as well.
The suspect is still on the loose, but police say they do have some leads in the case.
