The moment when the pensioner caught up with the thief was caught on camera. Photo: TIM STEWART TSW
Posted on 10/31/2008 10:36:12 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
The have-a-go-hero, aged around 80, left the robber so stunned at being unmasked that he and his accomplice dropped their weapons and fled empty-handed.
He was the only person to intervene as the raid unfolded in front of a crowd of over 50 shoppers and office workers on a busy London high street.
Eye-witnesses said that the man showed "amazing guts" risking his life as he tackled the raider.
The pensioner stepped in as the two attackers pounded the reinforced glass windows of the branch of jewellers Ernest Jones in Richmond, south-west London, in broad daylight.
Eyewitness Nick Thompson, a 35-year-old technician who works in an office opposite the shop, said: "Some girls in the office heard a commotion and called everyone over to the window.
"There were two hooded guys having a real go at the window of the jewellers with sledgehammers. The glass must have been tougher than they thought because it took them a good 20 seconds to break through.
"It was busy day on the high street and there were crowds of shoppers watching.
"But these days people don't want to have a go in case a robber has a weapon. Here, you could see that there were two robbers holding big sledgehammers.
"Everyone was standing back when this old guy at the bus stop decided he was not just going to stand there and watch. ..............
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Not so. People fear prosecution.
England has outlawed weapons how can criminals get weapons?
That's a skill that takes time to develop, like slow cooked black-eyed peas.
Here’s a broom, clean up ‘da glass, . . punk!
What does “poppy-wearing” mean. I read the story to find out, but it never says.
God bless him!!!!! He’s a WW2 survivor and tough as nails! We just lost my FIL who was a veteran in the UK. He shot down Nazi planes approaching the coasts. This is a truly, incredible generation. They appreciate the fight for freedom and have not forgotten. It was my honor to play for a Remembrance Day Service at a local cathedral. It was a moving experience and I was filled with pride - even tho I was American.
Of course, if he's 80 and wearing a poppy, Flander's field probably doesn't hold much fear for him.
/johnny
The poppy is for remembrance of the WW1 and WW2 dead the living. The poppy fields of France.
“But these days people don’t want to have a go in case a robber has a weapon”
In the old days “Mr. Poppy” would have simply have separated his umbrella, become armed, and would have been ready to “have a go at it”. There was less crime in most areas when this was the norm.
A standard view of the streets in the USSA after Nov. 4, 2008.
Good on him.
But he best get hiself a good barrister. You see, he tackled the guy. In other words, he assaulted him. The evidence is on the tape.
Gramps is looking a a couple years in the pokey. Such is the state of things in (formerly) Great Britain.
Get ready for the same here, if the Obamessiah wins.
It's sad that you have to ask. Damning indictment on our education system.
Google "Flander's Field". Ensure adequate tissues are available.
/johnny
IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
I’ve always liked the last stanza ... puts real “punch” in the thing.
I expect the pensioner will be charged for assulting the robber.
After that master bully was "so nice to me,..
..lord, he wuz luvy dovy."
Article has been expanded as they’ve found out who the pensioner is.
____________
....Witnesses said Mr Grove shouted “I’ve got your DNA” as he grabbed the robber’s balaclava.
The unlikely hero is 6ft 3ins tall and uses a walking stick after he was hit by a bus.
Friends call him John and said his wife had died a number of years ago.
Ernest Jones said it would be rewarding him with a Rolex watch. ........
Typical Nancy response of the modern police authority. They're jealous because an eighty year old is doing a better job than the police.
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