Burglar killed trying to steal Rolex and Cash

[The Joker]

The burglar stabbed to death during a house raid was trying to steal the home owner's Rolex watch and £50,000 cash, police believe.

When Mr Cooke, 39, opened the door of his £350,000 home, the two raiders are said to have forced their way in before allegedly demanding he hand over his designer watch and lead them to a safe

The pair allegedly dragged Mr Cooke around the property and were in a bedroom when his wife Karen, 34, arrived home with the couple's 12-year-old son Anthony.

Mr Cooke yelled "Get out, get out" at his wife, who ran to a neighbour's house and dialled 999.

The brave dad then tried to fight off the men and Jacob was stabbed six times in the arms and legs after a huge struggle broke out in the kitchen. It is thought he bled to death after being stabbed in the thigh. The other man fled.


http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...Rolex-50k.html

[MonBK]

Justice served.

[crew]

Interesting story. Sounds like the homeowner didn't fight back until his wife and son entered the "danger zone". He probably would have handed over his valuables but, when his family was in danger, he fought back viciously. I'd say his priorites were spot on. Glad he wasn't hurt. Hope they find the other guy and put him away.

[CashGap]

Originally Posted by crew

Interesting story. Sounds like the homeowner didn't fight back until his wife and son entered the "danger zone". He probably would have handed over his valuables but, when his family was in danger, he fought back viciously. I'd say his priorites were spot on. Glad he wasn't hurt. Hope they find the other guy and put him away.

Absolutely. The "Just give them what they want, it's only money" mentality teaches these folks that robbery is a safe way to earn a living, encouraging further events. "Always resist" not only works, it teaches the opposite lesson... robbery can be a painful or deadly way to earn a living.

Oddly, just about everyone on Earth understood this until the 20th century.

[Grumpy Badger]

Originally Posted by CashGap

Absolutely. The "Just give them what they want, it's only money" mentality teaches these folks that robbery is a safe way to earn a living, encouraging further events. "Always resist" not only works, it teaches the opposite lesson... robbery can be a painful or deadly way to earn a living.

Oddly, just about everyone on Earth understood this until the 20th century.

Damn straight!

My only caveat is the reporting of these stories makes it impossible to tell the TRUE story.
I take it it all checks out since the police have released the home owner but the cynic in me did wonder if there was more to this one...
The robbery was meant to have been at 2000 which I thought was a very unusual and I'm always a little suspicious when there is £50,000 in cash lying about the place...

Having said that, if the truth is that the home owner was legit then at least one of the scumbags got what was coming to him and I truly hope the British legal system will show a bit more support for law-abiding people defending their families, themselves and their property!

[conrail]

Excellent result! Justice served swiftly, no need to waste valuable resources with prosecution. Although as scumbags go, I'm sure the burglar's family will file a wrongful death suit.

[Grumpy Badger]

Originally Posted by conrail

Excellent result! Justice served swiftly, no need to waste valuable resources with prosecution. Although as scumbags go, I'm sure the burglar's family will file a wrongful death suit.

They have already been laying flowers by the lamppost outside the house... I have to say that image turned my stomach a bit!
I do hope the family don't feel they are going to be forced out of their home by this...

[conrail]

Originally Posted by Grumpy Badger

They have already been laying flowers by the lamppost outside the house... I have to say that image turned my stomach a bit!
I do hope the family don't feel they are going to be forced out of their home by this...

Hah, there ya go. What POS they are. If I were the family I'd remove the flowers each time. Unbelievable.

[SC11]

Yeah I have been following this. On Yesterdays news police were said to be investigating the coincidental number of burglary stabbing in that area !

Now don't know what that refers too but I think anyone should be able to protect their home and family !

If some guy put a knife or gun to me in the street i'd happily hand over my watch, wallet and phone ! They are all insured and just items

But if someone tried to put my wife or child in danger god help them.

[CashGap]

Originally Posted by pitbull666

If some guy put a knife or gun to me in the street i'd happily hand over my watch, wallet and phone ! They are all insured and just items

That reaction sends the message "Hey, that was EASY! Let's do it again!".

Once we understood the appropriate reaction, and realized they were stealing (for example) six months of your labor. Now too often we see it as a $500 deductible and let them take away the lesson that they will face no immediate consequences for their actions, which typically means no consequences at all, so they are emboldened to do it again. And one of those times, your family gets hurt badly.

Better if everyone still understood the proper way to react.

[Dan2010]

They wouldn't have made it as far as they did in my house. We don't play here.

[Grumpy Badger]

Originally Posted by Dan2010

They wouldn't have made it as far as they did in my house. We don't play here.

That was my first reaction and another thing that made me think there might be a little more to the story.
I know it was the arrival of his wife and kid that was meant to have prompted the violent response but I'd have thought that the type of guy who had it in him to fight had had enough provocation already.

[Demosthene]

50,000 pounds cash in a 350,000 pound house is more then a little dodgy

[Zed Homme]

IBTL

[eric23]

Crazy!

[skypilot]

The last time a criminal came into my neighborhood he was thrilled when the police arrived to rescue him and take him to jail. That was about 12 years ago and no problems since. I leave my Rolexes on the dresser where they belong.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by CashGap

That reaction sends the message "Hey, that was EASY! Let's do it again!".

Discretion is the better part of valor, to be sure, but there are times when fighting back is an option and I'm glad for this man and his family that it all turned out well.

Let's hope that the burglar's family doesn't sue for damages.

It's not unheard of.

[BH13GMT]

I am a reasonable guy, however if my wife and child were ever put in danger by an intruder, I would hate to know what my limit would be. The idea scares me a little but would not not prevent me from sorting the problem out by any means necessary. The will to protect ones family will out trump someones need to rob a house, that edge will always prevail in my book.
The even distribution of a set of golf clubs hidden around the house certainly helps
The notion of the burglar's family sueing for damages is quite frankly ludicrous. Are they going to provide a income history to the court to assist in a claim for loss of earnings?? Do me a favour. These people are pond life.

[Grumpy Badger]

Originally Posted by BH13GMT

These people are pond life.

I have often sat by ponds whilst fishing or picnicking... I find a great deal of pond life beautiful and fascinating...

I find scum like these a waste of good oxygen!

I'm always surprised how FEW intruders get what's due to them... I know anytime I've thought there was something amiss in the middle of the night I've come downstairs FULLY tooled up and ready to use it! Fortunately though all have been false alarms... Still better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!

[beowulf566]

Got what he deserved, the only thing better would have been if he got both.

[perpetualman88]

Originally Posted by beowulf566

the only thing better would have been if he got both.

x2

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by BH13GMT

The notion of the burglar's family sueing for damages is quite frankly ludicrous.

It's not uncommon here in the States.

One example in the UK, although it was six years ago.

I understand that the UK has made efforts to preclude this from happening.

[perpetualman88]

In tucson there are some rough stories of home home robberies. everyone has guns and alot of times the robbers are shot and killed by the home owner. the loss of life is tragic but in this case it was nessessary. I hope the other thief is caught soon.

[threemonkeys]

I think there is something instinctive that kicks in for a man (or any parent, really) when their loved one is in danger. I know I would have gone to town with the nearest meat cleaver were my wife and child put in that type of harm's way. No doubt in my mind whatsoever.

Kudos to a brave dad/husband that got the job done.