NationStates Jolt Archive

:eek:

An Aussie couple battled a home intruder. The wife's heroic use of a pepper grinder proved decisive. Would you tackle a home intruder at midnight?

Hot reception for home invader
Reko Rennie
January 22, 2009 - 8:28AM


A Northcote woman belted an intruder with a pepper grinder as he fought with her partner in a home in Melbourne's inner north last night.

Police said the incident happened just after midnight when a man entered a High Street property through an unlocked door as the couple watched television.

The man, 38, confronted the intruder after hearing noises in a bedroom, and a fight broke out.

The woman, 31, rushed in and hit the intruder on the head with a pepper grinder.

The intruder the ran off. Police were called and the woman's partner was treated for was minor injuries to his face..

The Victoria Police media office issued a statement about the incident but did not know the crucial detail - the size of the pepper grinder.

Police later arrested a 32-year-old St Kilda man two kilometres from the house.

Damn, a cast iron frying pan would have been classic.

Could be assault

Would you tackle a home intruder at midnight?
Seeing as the "midnight home intruder", were he to enter my apartment, would be standing - well - in the middle of my place of residence and neither he nor I had much space to avoid each other, very much so.

Although, I'm usually awake at that time, so he'd have a hard time surprising me.

I hope that you have a partnet who is handy with a pepper grinder German Nightmare!

Say the phrase in Deutsche: Pfeffer .......

The Aussies should ship this guy off to hard labor in the pepper mills...

No doubt he was a seasoned offender.

You've peppered this thread with puns - to rub salt into its wounds?

I hope that you have a partner who is handy with a pepper grinder German Nightmare!
Two problems with that: I don't have a pepper mill, so it's down to either one throw with the little pepper shaker or going close combat with it, and I'd have to fight on my own for the time being...
Say the phrase in Deutsch: Pfeffer .......
Pfeffermühle. ("pepper mill")

You see, if gun ownership laws weren't so doggone restrictive, these poor homeowners would have had a chance to defend themselves! This is what's wrong with...
...
Oh, they did?
...
With a pepper mill, you say?
...
Ah. Very well then.

"Home invasion" is a term which should be used only when the intruder's intention is to take the residents hostage. Whether to harm them (eg rapists) or to force them to give up hidden valuables.

I see that as far more serious and harmful than burglary (including cat burglary -- entering a house stealthily while the residents are there, but without the intention to accost them.)

The article does not use the term "home invasion."* Bad Collectivity -- and double for no link.

Even the limited information in the unlinked article suggests that the intruder intended to steal, not to harm the residents. The "fight breaking out" was the resident man's idea -- and the quite legitimate intention to make a citizen's arrest FAILED. The intruder escaped.

That said, I would not use a pepper grinder on an intruder. I have a water-pistol full of Wasabi solution.

*EDIT: Oops. Yes it did, in the title. Sorry Collectivity -- you said "home intruder" in fact.

That certainly spiced up their night.

No doubt he was a seasoned offender.

I have no better pun than that. Well done!

"Home invasion" is a term which should be used only when the intruder's intention is to take the residents hostage. Whether to harm them (eg rapists) or to force them to give up hidden valuables.

I see that as far more serious and harmful than burglary (including cat burglary -- entering a house stealthily while the residents are there, but without the intention to accost them.)

The article does not use the term "home invasion." Bad Collectivity -- and double for no link.

Even the limited information in the unlinked article suggests that the intruder intended to steal, not to harm the residents. The "fight breaking out" was the resident man's idea -- and the quite legitimate intention to make a citizen's arrest FAILED. The intruder escaped.

That said, I would not use a pepper grinder on an intruder. I have a water-pistol full of Wasabi solution.

The common law definition of burglary is the breaking and entering of a dwelling of another at night with the intent to commit a felony. So it pretty much is home invasion as you describe it except it also includes what you term 'cat-burglars' - which I would suggest are, in reality, vanishingly rare.

The reason why we hear 'home-invasion' so much these days is probably because people will never use one word when two will do. Hence we no-longer have bombs, but explosive devices. And we no longer go at high speed, but a 'high rate of speed' &c.

I would attack someone who broke into my house, if only to keep them from hurting my children.

'high rate of speed' &c.

Technically thats acceleration.

Pfeffermühle
Ah, so you're a Pfeffermühlenaufdeutschübersetzungsbefertiger (completer of the translation into German of "pepper grinder")

Someone entering my residence unwanted would be very, very sorry.

1) Stage swords. Blunt, but a couple pounds each. Could definitely break bones with a good swing. Also, they may be blunt but I'm sure I could punch a hole in someone.

2) Recurve Bow. 'Nuff said.

3) BIG FUCKING DOGS

and

4) Cops for neighbors.

2) Recurve Bow. 'Nuff said.


How are you supposed to shoot someone with a bow indoors? They're not small or particularly quick.

2) Recurve Bow. 'Nuff said.
"News at 6. First up: woman defends herself from home intruder with a... bow and arrow?"

How are you supposed to shoot someone with a bow indoors? They're not small or particularly quick.

"News at 6. First up: woman defends herself from home intruder with a... bow and arrow?"

Depends on where they are... and my bow's not exactly huge, either. I've already defended my brother from a beating by car thieves with it. You should have seen their faces -- five guys surrounding my brother with knives and sharpened screwdrivers, and I threw open a window from the second floor, lean out, nocked an arrow and yell at them while at full draw, "Get the fuck away from my brother or I start playing William Tell."

Just as well they decided to run -- at that point in my career I had just gotten the bow and my aim was not that good.... ;)

Depends on where they are... and my bow's not exactly huge, either. I've already defended my brother from a beating by car thieves with it. You should have seen their faces -- five guys surrounding my brother with knives and sharpened screwdrivers, and I threw open a window from the second floor, lean out, nocked an arrow and yell at them while at full draw, "Get the fuck away from my brother or I start playing William Tell."

Just as well they decided to run -- at that point in my career I had just gotten the bow and my aim was not that good.... ;)

But what use is it inside when the would be intruder can hide round the corner, close the door or close the distance before you can nock the arrow and draw?

But what use is it inside when the would be intruder can hide round the corner, close the door or close the distance before you can nock the arrow and draw?
The layout of my apartment is pretty open and a straight line. And if they decide to close the door that's fine with me -- then I've got a barrier between me and them.

I can empty my quiver of 2 dozen arrows in under 30 seconds -- I used to do speed shoots. Even one or two whizzing by should encourage someone to leave.

The common law definition of burglary is the breaking and entering of a dwelling of another at night with the intent to commit a felony.

"At night" isn't universal.

In Australia, it seems to be "A person who enters or is in the place of another person, without that other person’s consent, with intent to commit an offence in that place...." tho' I'm no expert.

If the intruder's intent is to physically harm the residents, certainly they should be punished more harshly than if their intent was to steal property. And a reasonable belief that the intruder intends to harm the residents would also justify stronger measures of "self defence."

Problem is, the relatively tiny number of "home invasions" (in the sense of holding residents hostage) get a lot of coverage, and if the real legal and ethical distinction between theft and threat to the person isn't made clear, people will think that the law allows them to kill a burglar. It doesn't, and it shouldn't.

It probably doesn't allow you to hit them with a pepper grinder either. What is the intent of that? To knock them unconscious, kill them, drive them away? I think the male resident is in a much more defensible position, since his unarmed assault can more easily be explained as an attempt to apprehend the suspect.

So it pretty much is home invasion as you describe it except it also includes what you term 'cat-burglars' - which I would suggest are, in reality, vanishingly rare.
Yet it seems that this is a case of such. The residents were watching TV and the door wasn't locked ... you'd have to think the intruder was pretty dumb if they thought there was no-one home?

The reason why we hear 'home-invasion' so much these days is probably because people will never use one word when two will do. Hence we no-longer have bombs, but explosive devices. And we no longer go at high speed, but a 'high rate of speed' &c.

I think it's simpler than that. "Home invasion" is an emotive term, preferred by the media because "home" is a more positive thing than "house" and "invasion" a greater violation of "the home" than "intrusion" is.

The problem is, we do need stricter penalties for the more serious crime of taking people hostage in their own homes, than for simple burglary. But if entering anybody else's house without their permission is loosely called "home invasion" ... and stricter laws for the more serious crime use the term "home invasion" ... then people will expect the same penalty for what are very different degrees of harm.

Who's a clever Bunnysaurus?

I blush with shame to acknowledge that I didn't include a source. Here's an update on the story (sourced). You may be interested to know that it was a large "Mr Dudley pfeffermuhle.
http://www.theage.com.au/national/pepper-grinder-attack-mr-dudley-comes-to-rescue-20090122-7ngl.html

By the way, don't mess with Katganistan - she's a priestess of Artemis (Goddess of Hunting)

Someone entering my residence unwanted would be very, very sorry.

1) Stage swords. Blunt, but a couple pounds each. Could definitely break bones with a good swing. Also, they may be blunt but I'm sure I could punch a hole in someone.


I got a collection of swords; mostly replicas but including a real 15 pound bastard sword roughly 5 1/2 feet in total length with a 4 1/2 foot long blade; sharp enough to carve a turkey with (not that I have actually used it on a turkey) and I have practiced with it (just as a learning experience mind you) enough that I can swing accurately and in a small amount of space, can also stab with it if I had too. I've used it to sheer off 1 inch thick limbs from pine trees with perfect through and through cuts and to disembowel a pumpkin or two. I'd hate to use it one someone but if it was them or me... I think the intimidation factor of a crazy man my size wielding medieval battle implements should be enough to deter the average larcenist.

:eek:

An Aussie couple battled a home intruder. The wife's heroic use of a pepper grinder proved decisive. Would you tackle a home intruder at midnight?

Hot reception for home invader
Reko Rennie
January 22, 2009 - 8:28AM


A Northcote woman belted an intruder with a pepper grinder as he fought with her partner in a home in Melbourne's inner north last night.

Police said the incident happened just after midnight when a man entered a High Street property through an unlocked door as the couple watched television.

The man, 38, confronted the intruder after hearing noises in a bedroom, and a fight broke out.

The woman, 31, rushed in and hit the intruder on the head with a pepper grinder.

The intruder the ran off. Police were called and the woman's partner was treated for was minor injuries to his face..

The Victoria Police media office issued a statement about the incident but did not know the crucial detail - the size of the pepper grinder.

Police later arrested a 32-year-old St Kilda man two kilometres from the house.

the CNN interview showed it was this size of grinder
http://www.chefdepot.net/graphics34/giant_peppermill_wood.jpg

Depends on where they are... and my bow's not exactly huge, either. I've already defended my brother from a beating by car thieves with it. You should have seen their faces -- five guys surrounding my brother with knives and sharpened screwdrivers, and I threw open a window from the second floor, lean out, nocked an arrow and yell at them while at full draw, "Get the fuck away from my brother or I start playing William Tell."

Just as well they decided to run -- at that point in my career I had just gotten the bow and my aim was not that good.... ;)

Reminds me of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUFDaXkJG-4

:D

Well, next the Aussies will be registering kitchen-ware, and confiscating it... I wonder how long before Mr. Burglar files a lawsuit over his pain and suffering when that mean ol' homedweller hit him with that implement of tongue destruction...

With various sword and knives (plus a brand new war hammer I got for xmas. w00t!) I am well equipped to deal with home intruders. A pepper mill is a new twist though.

I use a picture of Jack Palance looking like he's thinking about peeling off your skin and making a funny hat out of it to scare off intruders:

http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/arts/photos/2006/11/10/palance-jack-cp-1928906.jpg

Oh my god! It's Curly's ghost!

Who's a clever Bunnysaurus?

I blush with shame to acknowledge that I didn't include a source. Here's an update on the story (sourced). You may be interested to know that it was a large "Mr Dudley" pfeffermuhle.
http://www.theage.com.au/national/pepper-grinder-attack-mr-dudley-comes-to-rescue-20090122-7ngl.html

I don't know whether to laugh or cry. They look so damn pleased with themselves, which is kind of odd when you consider that it was their turf, they went two-on-one and lost by any reasonable measure, and may in fact have broken the law.

There is one hero here, it ain't either of those pantywaists and it ain't the local plods who presumably only caught the intruder two kilometres away because he ran up to the police car screaming "OMG, pepper, pepper, help me it was pepper."

No, it's Mr Dudley.

"We're not giving him up - he's a good grinder."

I mean, look at the pic.

The tall guy on the right will be out of that picture a year from now, and Davina Dudley will be happily married. :p

I would attack someone who broke into my house, if only to keep them from hurting my children.

Bat'leth to the face *nods*

My pepper grinder is loaded with 00 buckshot and has a trigger and a barrel and has the word Remington on the side.

Ah, so you're a Pfeffermühlenaufdeutschübersetzungsbefertiger (completer of the translation into German of "pepper grinder")
That I am. :tongue: (Nice word for Hang Man by the way!)