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Septuagenarian Overpowers Younger, Knife-Wielding Intruder

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 11, 2008

SEMINOLE - A burglar's knife was no match Saturday morning for Walter Funk's wrench and pluck, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said.

Funk, 77, used his hands and a wrench to subdue 22-year-old Nicole Mason-Suares, who had broken into his 123rd Street home, deputies said.

Funk hit the woman with a wrench and held her down long enough for deputies to arrive, authorities said.

The drama began to unfold about 9 a.m. when Funk's 81-year-old wife, Ingebord, heard strange noises in the house.

As he investigated, Funk found Mason-Suares inside, deputies said. He told his wife to lock herself in her bedroom and call 911.

He grabbed Mason-Suares as she tried to leave. During the struggle, Funk managed to grab a wrench and hit the woman with it. Mason-Suares, who was wearing rubber gloves, reached into her bag and pulled out a knife, but Funk wrested it away from her.

The struggle moved to the patio and pool area of the home, deputies said, and Funk eventually overpowered her.

When deputies arrived, Funk had the woman pinned to the ground.

Funk refused medical treatment at the scene and said he would drive himself to the hospital, deputies said.

Mason-Suares was arrested on charges of armed burglary, battery on a person older than 65 and possession of a burglary tool. She was transported to Suncoast Hospital for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening, deputies said.

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