Karateka surprises home intruder

A quick-thinking karateka had a teenage criminal licked yesterday morning after disarming and arresting him after he scaled the wall of a Walmer home in Port Elizabeth.

The 25-year-old co-owner was alerted to the would-be robber after his American pitbull, Kai, began barking frantically after she noticed the 18-year-old suspect.

The owner, who did not want to give his name as he feared it would attract negative attention to his business, said the intruder was also armed with a hammer.

The suspect was caught totally unaware as the owner tackled him to the ground before managing to disarm him.

It was at this point the suspect drew a firearm, which was later discovered to be a toy gun.

“I was getting up to watch some television when I heard Kai barking outside. As I went to investigate, I noticed the silhouette of the suspect – he was wearing a black hoody,” he said.

“I quickly went around the other side of the house in an attempt to apprehend the intruder.”

He did not flinch when the suspect pulled out the toy gun and pointed it at him.