Burglars "Burgled" By Victim
By: Lori Matsukawa / KING
Updated: February 19, 2009
A western Washington state man outsmarts some burglars by beating them at their own game!
When they broke into his home, he left them with no way to getaway.
32-year-old Patrick Rosario was working on a project in his basement last Tuesday afternoon when two burglars broke down the front door.
Patrick says "it was just a big boom and I heard running footsteps."
He peeked through a crack under the basement door and saw unfamiliar jeans running around, pulling out his TV.
He ducked out the backdoor while calling 911.
He got to the driveway and saw the getaway van.
Listen to the 911 tape.
Here is the verbatim of the 911 call:
Patrick: "They just broke in and they've been running around in my house and oh look they left the door open with the car. Uh I just drove their car away."
911 Dispatcher: "Don't do that sir! You just stole their car"
Patrick: "Yeah, I know I just stole their car."
911 Dispatcher: "Okay, you can now be charged with that. Stop."
Patrick: "Okay, I'm stopping, I'm stopping."
That's right, the van was running, so Patrick jumped in and drove around the corner to a friend's house.
Patrick says "It did occur to me as I was jumping in and putting the van into drive that I was actually robbing my robbers, which was a pretty satisfying feeling I gotta say!"
By the time officers arrived, the would-be thieves were gone, Leaving a pile of TVs, electronics, and even Rosario's son's tricycle behind.
Officers are searching the suspects vehicle for clues.
Patrick says "It was simultaneously one of the smarter and dumber things I've ever done."
