An 87-year-old woman in Maine bravely fought off a home invader and even offered him snacks while waiting for the police to arrive, according to local reports.
Marjorie Perkins was awakened in the early hours of July 26 to find a man standing over her bed, threatening to harm her. Perkins, a retired teacher, quickly jumped out of bed and put on her shoes, preparing herself to defend against the intruder. She recounted, "I thought to myself, If hes going to cut, Im going to kick. So I jumped into my shoes."
The intruder grabbed Perkins and shoved her against the wall, punching her in the forehead and leaving a bruise. Undeterred, Perkins fought back, using a chair as a weapon to keep the intruder at bay. She expressed gratitude for having the chair between them, as it prevented the situation from escalating further.
Eventually, the intruder retreated to the kitchen, where he revealed that he was hungry. In an act of remarkable compassion, Perkins offered him peanut butter and crackers, along with two containers of Ensure and two tangerines.
While the intruder ate, Perkins quickly dialed the police from a rotary phone. Unfortunately, the intruder managed to escape before the authorities arrived. However, thanks to the assistance of a dog from the Brunswick Police Department, the suspect was tracked down a few blocks away.
The 17-year-old suspect was found carrying a water bottle filled with alcohol and was subsequently taken into custody. He now faces charges of burglary, criminal threatening, assault, and consuming liquor as a minor. Authorities have chosen not to release the intruder's identity.
Investigation revealed that the intruder had broken into the house by moving the side panel of a window air conditioning unit. The suspect's pants, shoes, and a knife were found near the unit. In response to the incident, a neighbor provided Perkins with a bat for self-defense, and a worker reinforced the air conditioner side panel with screws to prevent future break-ins.
Reflecting on her experience, Perkins emphasized the importance of being prepared to fight back in the face of a home invasion. She urged others not to become victims and to take action, saying, "Don't sit and cry about it. Be ready to kick and pick up a chair and hit somebody with it," while laughing.
Despite the traumatic event, Perkins expressed hope that her attacker would receive the help he needs. Her remarkable resilience and compassion serve as a testament to her strength and character.
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