View Full Version : Woman fakes heart attack to scare off intruder


Nikki_D
02-06-2007, 01:37 PM
Woman fakes heart attack to scare off intruder
80-year-old in Maine tricked convicted sex offender, who was later arrested

Updated: 1 hour, 6 minutes ago

HAMPDEN, Maine - An 80-year-old Hampden woman who was watching the Super Bowl alone faked a heart attack to scare off a man who had broken into her home and was pushing her toward the bedroom, police said.

Daniel Thanem, 45, of Winterport was arrested a short time later and charged with aggravated criminal trespass and assault. Thanem is a convicted sex offender in Alabama, police said.

The woman was watching Sunday night's Super Bowl when she spotted a man walking through her house, said Hampden police Sgt. Dan Stewart. When she asked the man what he was doing, he grabbed her from behind and began pushing her toward the bedroom.

Stewart said the woman pretended she was having a heart attack and told the intruder her heart medication was in her car in the garage. After they retrieved the medication, the man fled.

"The lady had enough common sense to keep her wits about her to fake a heart attack and avoid becoming another victim," Stewart said.

Thanem was arrested minutes later near the home by police on routine patrol.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17007940/

And some people say that old people aren't quick thinking

Debra
02-06-2007, 01:43 PM
That is awesome! She was incredibly smart & brave & maybe a tad bit stupid. But thankfully the man fell for it & left her alone!

fridaynightgirl
02-06-2007, 02:12 PM
OH WOW. No kidding. That's some serious quick thinking.

CassieR1202
02-06-2007, 02:34 PM
What a brave lady! I'm glad that he got caught! I honestly think I would be too scared to think that fast!!!

CoffeeGirl
02-06-2007, 03:25 PM
smart lady!:whew :thumbsup :yeehaw :yes

Jennie
02-06-2007, 03:32 PM
That's a smart lady right there. And people think they can take advantage of the elderly..shows what they know!

*Crystal*
02-06-2007, 03:35 PM
WOW shes very smart!!

CMPCAP
02-06-2007, 08:30 PM
That is one smart lady. Good for her!

AshleyJ
02-06-2007, 08:39 PM
I like that lady. She's a smart cookie. I wish more people would think fast like she did in order to get out of situations like that.

Shannon*
02-06-2007, 09:03 PM
I'm completely horrified that someone would rape old women anyway - I mean, 80? And clearly in a wheelchair. I know it's a power thing, but, geez...

Dragonfly76
02-06-2007, 10:44 PM
I love quick minded people. Bravo!

rachaelandyogi
02-07-2007, 12:37 AM
Sounds like my grandma. Awesome lady!