14 DAY TRIAL // A gamer's console or PC is their bread and butter, his or her raison d'être and it is no surprise that one would go to extreme lengths to protect their lifestyle. If one paired this with the rather inaccurate reputation video gamers have earned, of being antisocial and violent people, one might think of who would be crazy enough to steal someone's Xbox. But it happened, and considering the things we've listed above, it's no surprise that the robber didn't get away.
Returning home, Peter Sciascia, who was at that moment in crutches after breaking his leg, saw someone rushing out of the back of his house and feared the worst. Indeed, the man was a robber, and while Mr. Sciascia "hobbled around to see where he had gone," the kids went into the house to see what was missing. Discovering that the family's Xbox, games, an iPod and some cash had been taken, 11-year-old Rena grabbed the first blunt object she lay her eyes on and pursued the fiendish criminal on foot. "She just grabbed the crutch and started chasing him," Mr. Sciascia said.
While most people wouldn't be at ease chasing after a man that just broke into their house, the young girl was rushed with powerful emotions and just acted. "I was scared but I wanted my Xbox and iPod back. I saw him trying to put on a hoodie but as soon as he saw me he sprinted off." You would too, if you saw an angry kid coming at you with a crutch.
But while the chase ended 500 meters later, with young Rena losing the robber in a Brown Sugar Cafe, the police managed to corner the thief and apprehend him. The stolen possessions were found ditched in some bushes near the house, all but the iPod, which he probably assumed not to be large enough to hinder his escape.
"He didn't get that far," Rena said. "I'm really relieved we got our Xbox back. Chasing him and keeping going was worth it," but that's not really what the police thinks about civilian intervention. While praising her courage, Sergeant Noel Bigwood made it very clear that this was a bad idea, and she was only lucky that she didn't end up needing the crutch she waved around frantically as she chased the Xbox thief.
"The girl's actions were brave but I would not recommend them. She is neither big nor strong – if the burglar had turned on her she might have been injured. I like live witnesses, not dead heroes." Then again, he doesn't understand what it's like to see a member of your family be taken away.