Man, 71, and friend in wheelchair subdue suspect

KINGSTON, Pa. (AP) - The young woman probably thought the 71-year-old veteran, whose friend was in a wheelchair, would make an easy target. She was wrong. Harry Kopenis chased and tackled the 22-year-old woman he says robbed him at an ATM in northeastern Pennsylvania. Then, with help from his friend in a wheelchair, he held her until police arrived.

"Maybe she thought I was easy prey. She didn't think I was going to get her. Well, senior citizens aren't easy prey," Kopenis said.

Police charged Erin Vanmatre, of Kingston, with robbery, harassment and other offenses. Vanmatre, who was on probation for conspiracy to commit theft, was locked up on $10,000 bail. It wasn't clear if she had an attorney.

Kopenis said he's not sure how he was able to catch Vanmatre, considering he suffered a stroke five years ago and is on various prescription medications. He pointed to the sky and said, "It was a source up there who gave me the energy."

He had gone to an ATM near his Kingston home Monday morning and withdrew $100 when Vanmatre allegedly knocked him down, took his money and fled.

Kopenis' friend, Kevin Lamb, was nearby in his electric wheelchair. Both men took off after her. Kopenis got her to the ground and Lamb grabbed her leg.

"She wasn't going anyplace then," said Lamb, 56, who uses the wheelchair due to breathing problems.

Kopenis said he thought about not pressing charges, but she continued to resist and gave him a kick to the leg.

The men weren't seriously injured.

Gardening can be deadly for seniors

VICTORIA, British Columbia (UPI) -- Health officials in Canada's retirement haven of Victoria, British Columbia, are warning senior gardeners dirt can be deadly, as three deaths last year show.

Chief Medical Health Officer Richard Stanwick said three people over age 50 died of tetanus on Vancouver Island last year, and it's likely they acquired it from soil in their gardens, the Victoria Times Colonist reported.

"They were all people who haven't had a (tetanus) immunization in at least 10 years or longer," he said. "There's a lot of risk in the garden."

Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, is an infection found in manure and soil that thrives on damaged tissue, and makes its way into the body through even the tiniest of cuts, he said.

It can cause contraction of muscles, stiffness, spasms and death, but can easily be prevented with vaccinations at least every 10 years among adults, he said.




Copyright 2008 by United Press International