Carjackers make big mistake jumping this Lone Grove man - 83 YO breaks would-be carjackers arm

Ardmoreite.com ^ | December 10, 2003 | By Wilbert Wiggs

[MeekOneGOP]

Story last updated at 8:52 a.m. Wednesday, December 10, 2003

Carjackers make big mistake jumping this Lone Grove man
By Wilbert Wiggs
Staff Writer

  Ratliff  

And the moral of this story is: Don't be fooled by a relaxing "old" man kicked back with his boots off. Especially if that "old" man happens to be Pat Ratliff of Lone Grove.

That's the first mistake a Dallas carjacking team made a few days ago while scouting a parking lot for an easy mark. At 83, Ratliff can strike one as an easy mark.

That was the second mistake, as they spotted Ratliff waiting for his wife and grandson to return from a nearby store.

A red-headed woman and gun-toting male companion had the element of surprise on their side. That advantage didn't account for Pat's cool approach to just about any situation and his reputation as "the man who tears quarters with his bare fingers."

"They shouldn't have done that," Ratliff remarked about the totally unexpected attack.

Ratliff was only momentarily surprised when the woman appeared by the driver's door and began hitting him with her purse for no apparent reason. The reason became clear moments later when a man stuck a gun inside from the opposite side.

Being the alert type and an individual who's "been through a lot of stuff," Ratliff immediately began looking for an opportunity. He was ready when the man glanced away.

"I grabbed his arm and broke it over the door," Ratliff said of his response, speaking literally. "The bone was sticking from his arm. I was trying to teach him a lesson."

Disarmed and with a broken arm, the man fled. Security personnel at the store suspect the carjackers have pulled previous capers. Police were able to apprehend the pair, but Ratliff advised them he doesn't want to return to Dallas for a court appearance.

Ratliff is almost apologetic when he says he's not as stout as he once was.

Be that as it may, you're not going to convince a cool (much younger) dude from Dallas who "fled like a 'possum" after his personal encounter with the 83-year-old man from Lone Grove.

"They shouldn't do that," Ratliff repeated.

Wilbert Wiggs, 221-6526 or wilbert.wiggs@ardmoreite.com.

[lormand]

"It WAS an attemted carjacking! I MIGHT have had a glock, and I MIGHT be a marksman(thanks to my dad)....but, then again...one never knows:) "

Saddly, we may one day here a "Bernard Getz" like story coming from someone in CommieFornia who was just doing what they had to do to survive.

[international american]

I was darned lucky that the red light I ran had no opposing traffic. They all probably had guns. I made a u turn and got behind them...only safe place to be:)

[international american]

I live in one of the most conservative outposts in Cal. In between two major Navy bases. Even the cops here are sympathetic. They did not even ask me if I was armed, let alone check my car.

[Orange1998]

When I read the headline I just knew the 83 YO had to be from Texas. Texas is a wonderful state. If this happen in Cali or NJ the table would have been turned.

[MeekOneGOP]

haha ! It sure does !

[Mr. Lucky]

You know, getting your arm broke off has just really got to hurt.

[Free Trapper]

They didn't "need" to ask if you were armed.

You used your brain.It was apparent to the LEOs that you were "much" better armed than all your attackers put together. :o)

[Who dat?]

... and his reputation as "the man who tears quarters with his bare fingers."

Anybody ever seen this for real?

I saw a guy "tear" a quarter before but it already had a starter cut that he put there with a sawzall.

I never saw anyone tear a quarter clean without some gimmick involved... heard about it though.

[international american]

"You know, getting your arm broke off has just really got to hurt."

Yeah, the next time he will be forced by necessity to use the OTHER arm..:)

[Free Trapper]

Told you it was a good one. :)

You're going to have to bulk up your criminals down there or you might not have any left after the holidays.

Lots of older Okies shop down there you know. :O)

[MeekOneGOP]

hehe ! I haven't. I figured it to be one of those 'tall tales'.

[MeekOneGOP]

Yeah ! I am STILL laughing at the picture in my mind of the kid with
the gun and the man grabbing the arm when he looks away, lol !

[international american]

"You used your brain.It was apparent to the LEOs that you were "much" better armed than all your attackers put together. :o)"

Maybe so. I will tell you that I have been stabbed(as a kid in a home burglary). Five years later a victim of gunpoint armed robbery. It ain't gonna happen again.The last one was 24 years ago, and I am now 49 years old. I am well past over any fear of thugs. They damn well better fear me!
Best regards, IA

[John Beresford Tipton]

A lady I know, in her 70's, was driving slowly through her neighborhood when a young punk reached into her car to grab her purse. She was quicker than he, and promptly ran up the window catching the punk's arm. She then very slowly drove down the street to where a bunch of neighborhood youngsters she knew were standing. She tooted her horn and released his arm so the punk could then get the snot knocked out of him. Score one for the home team.

[Little Bill]

Remins me of my Grand Dad.

[Orange1998]

I would not have taken much more force to tear the arm off all together. I sounds a bit extreme but I assure you if the gun was in my face I would attempt it.

[Orange1998]

LOL. She was too nice.

[1L]

Just don't get any blood in the interior is all I say.

[John Beresford Tipton]

Bos'un, muster the neighborhood aft to witness punishment!

[Eaker]

ping