Don't mess with the Ninjas

Karate instructor takes down would-be burglar in Littleton

Published September 17, 2008 at 9:54 p.m.

A would-be burglar allegedly caught trying to steal from an elementary school in Jefferson County learned a hard lesson Tuesday night after he was taken down and detained by karate instructor.

Kyle J. Torres, 21, was being held Wednesday on $5,000 bond at the Jefferson County Jail. He will be arraigned Thursday on charges of burglary, assault, theft, criminal mischief and possession of burglary tools.

At 11:20 p.m. Tuesday, the Jefferson County Sheriff's office received a call that a burglary suspect was being held near Front Range Christian Elementary School in the 6600 block of West Ottawa Avenue in Littleton.

Kevin Kowalczik, of Highlands Ranch, who teaches at Prorank Karate near the elementary school, said Wednesday he was locking up the karate school after a late training session with his students when he noticed Torres walking in the alley.

"I just decided to follow him to see if he was a regular person or if he was the robber who had broken into several schools lately," said Kowalczik. He said there has been a rash of burglaries at the Pierce Street Village, where his business is located, as well as nearby schools.

Kowaclczik decided to grab a rubber gun used for practice at the karate center and followed Torres. He also asked his fiancee, Crystal Simangan, to follow him with a cell phone.

After he turned the corner, he said he noticed that Torres was inside the school, trying to steal a cash box. He hid behind a wall and waited until Torres left the school.

"Once I heard the doors slam shut behind him, I used one of the rubber guns that we use for assault practice," he said. "I pointed the gun at him and ordered him to get down on his knees. He was terrified."

Kowaclczik said Torres complied but after a few minutes noticed that the gun was a fake (it has a red tip) and started to run down the alley, dropping the cash box.

"I decided if I didn't try to stop him, he would get away and continue robbing and burglarizing," Kowalczik said. "I ran after him and tackled him. "

Kowalczik said his fiancee then called 911 while he held Torres down, and deputies arrived about eight minutes later.

While authorities say the best thing that a citizen can do in a situation like this is to get a description of the suspect and what he or she is doing and call 911, Kowalczik said he wanted to help the police catch the suspect.

"The kids who attend the schools around the center come and take classes in our karate school," he said. "I'm just glad that the center is safe.

"I'm just thankful that I was able to bring this criminal to justice," Kowalczik said.

Karate instructor takes down would-be burglar in Littleton : News Ticker : The Rocky Mountain News
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i think at the end he preferred to have been held @ rubber gun point instead of the choke hold!:D