POINT MARION, Pa. --

An 85-year-old woman boldly went for her gun and busted a would-be burglar inside her home, then forced him to call police while she kept him in her sights, police said.

"I just walked right on past him to the bedroom and got my gun," Leda Smith said.

Smith heard someone break into her home Monday afternoon and grabbed the .22-caliber revolver she had been keeping by her bed since a neighbor's home was burglarized a few weeks ago.

"I said 'What are you doing in my house?' He just kept saying he didn't do it," Smith said.

After the 17-year-old boy called 911, Smith kept holding the gun on him until state police arrived at her home in Springhill Township, about 45 miles south of Pittsburgh.

The boy will be charged with attempted burglary and related offenses in juvenile court, Trooper Christian Lieberum said. He was not identified because of his age.

"It was exciting," Smith said. "I just hope I broke up the (burglary) ring because they have been hitting a lot of places around here."

Fight crime- Don't underestimate the old.

Dewetsdorp granny of 78 did the same last week in the RSA.

Robbers flee fierce gran, 7818/08/2008 00:44 - (SA) 'No, my love'... then 7 shotsGran, 81, clubs attackersElderly man fights off robbers

Karen EbersohnDewetsdorp

-A 78-year-old woman's decision to fight back against three young robbers has given new meaning to "There's life in the old girl yet".Despina Apostolides was alone when three youngsters came into the family's shop late on Friday afternoon.

Speaking from her hospital bed in Bloemfontein Medi-Clinic, she told how she'd resisted until the three finally fled."I was ready to lock up when three young men walked in."One asked me for a packet of chips. Then, suddenly, one of the others produced a knobkierie and began beating me."Apostolides said she had decided that the thugs were not going to get the better of her.

She tried to take the knobkierie from them so she could return their blows."I was determined to fight with all my might because I decided not to become another victim of a senseless murder."

One of the suspects tried to open the cash register, but to no avail."They were so surprised when I fought back that they dropped the knobkierie and ran away.

"Apostolides said they did not steal anything."It is only the Lord who gave me the strength to fight back."

I would like to tell other people not to be scared during a robbery and to fight back."Apostolides has injuries to her head and was also beaten on her arms."

She is a true heroine and one can only admire her for her actions," said her daughter, Vasoula Patrinos, in Bloemfontein

Three suspects (aged 16 and 17) reportedly were arrested on Saturday morning.

citizenalertza.blogspot.com/2008/08/85-year-old-woman-went-for-her-gun.html