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.

[Hot Tabasco]

I went through the red light, got behind them an did an ID on their plates.

Nice thinking and welcome to your home....

[Joe Hadenuf]

Police were able to apprehend the pair, but Ratliff advised them he doesn't want to return to Dallas for a court appearance.

I don't blame you Mr. Ratliff. Stay out of big cities, life is too short.

[Dubya]

LOL. I really like this guy.

[Donaeus]

Very thankful you're safe and able to take control of the situation, getting those thugs pulled off the street. Glad you're acquainted with Julia, I'm quite close to "Reagan." A friend of mine recently helped foil theft of another friend's car. The car owner had a gun and shot one of the suspects, he was later told by the policeman he should have killed her.

[First_Salute]

This guy should be "Man of the Year" on the cover of every news publication; or better, "Man of the Year" at Free Republic.

Perhaps he'd like to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the U.S. Supreme Court?

[StormEye]

""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."

I hope it hurts. I hope it hurts real bad for a long time.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

I have 5 buddies who stat with me all the time in case of trouble thanks to Governor GW Bush.

I know those guys and some of them hang around with me too. In my case however there are 8 of them and 8 more of their friends reside in a backup under the seat of the car.

[Unknowing]

I am inspired by this proper use of leverage toward the security of this man's freedom.

Precision, power and quickness (Diligentia Vis Celeritas) elegantly displayed in both the "empty hand" and "weapons at hand" practical combat categories.

[stands2reason]

One word. Theismann. I get chills to this day....

[archy]

What a great story ! Pinging Texans. This man is from Oklahoma.
Wish I had an Oklahoma ping list.

I posted a link for ya' on the OK profile forum....

-archy-/-

[lormand]

"In my case however there are 8 of them and 8 more of their friends reside in a backup under the seat of the car."

Yeah, but I bet my friends will always jump to my help, guaranteed, while you must hope that your friends will not get stuck in the "door" on the way out. :)

[archy]

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.

We had one from Ohio about a year back. One of the *Bang_list regulars.

-archy-/-

[Free Trapper]

You know,I might joke with the Texans(I do it the other way when I live in Texas)but truly,they really are fine friends and neighbors. :)

Maybe we should invite a Texan up here to educate one of "our" problem learners.We could maybe even swap back and forth on a regular basis,make this a weekly event. :O)

[Mr. Lucky]

It could be that our hero has developed difficulties with his vision in his older years.
He apparently reads the Second Amendment to guarantee the right to keep and break arms. (which is still a better reading than we'll ever get from a court)

[international american]

"Nice thinking and welcome to your home...."
Thank you, and God bless(the armed)...

[international american]

Julia is my wifes name, and you can best believe she can handle a weapon, also judo.

[Colorado Doug]

I went through the red light, got behind them an did an ID on their plates.

Well done!!

[MeekOneGOP]

Thank you, sir ! Great idea !

[snopercod]

I wonder what international law says about what Ratliff did.

[international american]

You know, the ironic thing is, that I was due to fly to Asia on the day this happened. But I found out a very close friend of mine was undergoing an operation that might cost him his sight. So I stayed, and this is what happened. The wonderful thing is his eyesight remains intact. So strike 1 for the scumbags, one win for America!
My prayer request is on file here.
Best regards, IA