Edwin, Jutta Dowdy, Senior Couple With Black Belts, Fight Off Robber

Seniors With Black Belts Fight Off Intruder

Those cats were fast as lightning.

A burglar, described as a "bulky chap" in his thirties was no match for an elderly couple. The husband and wife just happened to hold black belts in a variety of martial arts, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, which they tried put to good use against the prowler.

Edwin Dowdy, 83, and his wife, 76-year-old Jutta, were enjoying a night at home in Kenmore, Australia on Saturday night, the Sunday Mail reports, when the suspect broke in at around 8:30 pm. Edwin Dowdy says he grabbed a knife and told the intruder to leave.

The burglar did not take kindly to this suggestion, and reportedly ran straight towards Dowdy -- and into the blade, opening up a gushing wound.

Jutta Dowdy says she then "chased him around the house" as he attempted to flee with an armful of stolen goods. The burglar was dropping things left and right in an attempt to escape more quickly from the woman.

He ultimately escaped by jumping over a balcony, and managed to get away with only two handbags.

"I would have liked to use martial arts on him," Jutta Dowdy told the Herald, "but I have to get back into it." She suffered a back injury last year and is still recovering.

The robber fled on foot, leaving a long trail of blood. Police say the amount of blood "indicates that the man needs urgent medical attention," and have issued a plea to find him.

The Dowdys say the incident left blood all over their house.

Senior citizens are proving to be no easy targets for robbers worldwide. In August, five men who attempted to rob a pawn shop were met with gunfire from the 65-year-old woman who owned the store.

And in July, a 71-year-old man who is legally blind used quick thinking -- and a frying pan -- to scare a pair of armed robbers away from his home.

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Badass Heroes
Helen Collins(01 of07)
Open Image Modal
In April 2012, 81-year-old John Collins suffered a heart attack while flying his small plane over Wisconsin. His wife, Helen, 80, was in the passenger's seat. Helen had no pilot's license, and had only undergone basic take-off and landing training thirty years prior.But with fuel running low and the right engine out, Helen calmly landed the plane, with assistance from aviation officials. Tragically, John Collins passed away that day. Helen suffered a back injury and cracked rib, and has since gained national attention for her unbelievable poise and control.
Food Delivery Hero(02 of07)
Open Image Modal
Anuson "Knott" Poolsawat is the owner of Knott's Take Out in North Pole, Alaska. Look at that picture there. Is this the kind of man who would let a little thing like a flood stop him from delivering delicious Thai food to hungry Alaskans?NO.Click here to read the whole story. (credit:Facebook/Knott Poolsawat)
Tom Guzzi(03 of07)
Open Image Modal
Tom Guzzi, who is legally blind, defended his home from armed robbers using a kitchen pot as a weapon.Despite being home alone, the quick-thinking Guzzi also shouted, "John, call the police," in order to trick the robbers into thinking someone else was home.Read more here.
Iravia Cotton(04 of07)
Open Image Modal
Girl Scout Iravia Cotton shoulc have gotten a merit badge in vigilantism.When Cotton, 15, realized a pair of thieves at stolen the cash box containing her cookie money, she and fellow Girl Scout Rachel Johnson chased the culprits down.Read more here. (credit:CNN)
Pauline Bragg(05 of07)
Open Image Modal
When Pauline Bragg, a 52-year-old mother of one awoke to find an intruder in her home, she sprang up and chased him out of her house.Once outside, she wrestled the burglar to the ground. Despite getting hit with a two-by-four, Bragg managed to pin the man down until police arrived.Read more here.
Granny Lulu Campbell(06 of07)
Open Image Modal
A pair of armed men were in for a surprise when they found themselves in a shoot-out with a 57-year-old grandmother. Lulu Campbell says she was dropping off her granddaughter when someone outside her car demanded money and then shot at her, but unbeknownst to him, Granny was also packing heat.She shot right back, striking him in the chest, and a second man fled when Campbell shot at him as well.Read more here.
Johanna Quaas(07 of07)
Open Image Modal
This 86-year-old isn't taking old age lying down. . Instead, she's taking it spinning, jumping and twirling -- on the parallel bars, no less.The white-haired wonder wowed the audience during her gymnastics exhibition at the 2012 Cottbus World Cup in March.Read more here.