I love these touching heartwarming human interest stories. I think the MSM owes us at least one per day.
Thank you Fox News:
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. —
Bill Barnes says he was scratching off a losing $2 lottery ticket inside a gas station when he felt a hand slip into his front-left pants pocket, where he had $300 in cash.He immediately grabbed the person’s wrist with his left hand and started throwing punches with his right, landing six or seven blows before a store manager intervened.
“I guess he thought I was an easy mark,” Barnes, 72, told The Grand Rapids Press for a story Tuesday.
He’s anything but an easy mark: Barnes served in the Marines, was an accomplished Golden Gloves boxer and retired after 20 years as an iron worker.
Jesse Daniel Rae, the 27-year-old Newaygo County man accused of trying to pick Barnes’ pocket, was arraigned Monday in Rockford District Court on one count of unarmed robbery, a 15-year felony.
Barnes said he had just withdrawn the money from a bank machine and put it in the pocket of his shorts before driving to the Marathon service station and Next Door Food Store in Comstock park, a Grand Rapids suburb.
He remembers noticing a patron acting suspiciously, asking the price of different brands of cigarettes and other items. While turned away, Barnes felt the hand in his pocket, so he took action.
“I guess I acted on instinct,” he said.
Kent County sheriff’s deputies said the store manager quickly came around the counter. The three of them struggled through the front door, where two witnesses said the manager slammed Rae to the ground and held him there.
“There was blood everywhere,” said another manager on duty, Abby Ostrom, 25.
Barnes was a regional runner-up in Golden Gloves competition in the novice and open divisions before enlisting in the Marines in 1956.
He lived most of his adult life in Comstock Park with his wife, Patricia, before recently moving to Ottawa County. The couple have three children.
After retiring as an iron worker, he now works part-time as a starter at a golf course.
Barnes said he’d probably do the same thing again under the same circumstances, if for no other reason than what he would face back home.
“I wouldn’t want my wife to give me hell for lettin’ that guy get my money,” he said with a smile.
Wouldn’t you just love to have witnessed the event? I’m serious. Hats off to Bill Barnes. He qualifies as a hero in my book.
14 responses so far ↓
tieki rae // June 27, 2007 at 10:20 am
Good for him! I’m glad that he is capable of defending himself and his property. What saddens me is the number of people that aren’t capable of the same. Namely most women, or perhaps a more frail man. What can those people do in place of hard punches?
…Hello 2nd Amendment?
wytammic // June 27, 2007 at 10:28 am
Maybe a little ball smashing?
tieki rae // June 27, 2007 at 10:29 am
Hahaha. Wow. I can’t believe you said that on your own blog. I’m impressed.
I still think as fun as your option would be, conceal and carry might be funner 
wytammic // June 27, 2007 at 10:30 am
Is that proper English young lady?
tieki rae // June 27, 2007 at 10:32 am
That’s proper conceal and carry language, mother dearest!
I’m thinking anyone in the position to complain when facing a handgun and improper English wouldn’t really be in the position to complain after all!
totaltransformation // June 27, 2007 at 11:08 am
I love that story.
wytammic // June 27, 2007 at 11:20 am
Heck yes TT. A little dose of justice for the criminal. As stated, just heartwarming.
Angel // June 27, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Great post Wy!..OOOhhhrahhhhhhhhhh!!
momlovesbeingathome // June 27, 2007 at 12:58 pm
And at 72 years old! That’s great!!
By the way, your #4 comment cracked me up!
theobromophile // June 27, 2007 at 1:12 pm
ROTFLMAO at the comments.
Good for him. I bet that’s the last time anyone in that town tries to pickpocket unsuspecting old men.
the Grit // June 27, 2007 at 3:20 pm
Hi w,
Semper Fi! You’d think people would learn.
the Grit
wytammic // June 27, 2007 at 3:35 pm
Angel,
Thanks — this is my favorite kind of stuff to find. A co-worker actually sent me the link
momlovesbeingathome,
Normally I shorten long names — but yours is just too good. Glad we could provide you with some entertainment too
Bridget,
I think you know Tieki and I are not beyond what we discuss
Grit,
I bet this perp learned a thing or two, don’t you?
the Grit // June 28, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Hi w,
I suspect he learned to appreciate the police. If they hadn’t arrived promptly, the jar head may have beaten him to death
the Grit
Defiant_Infidel // June 30, 2007 at 10:08 am
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