Story Created:
Apr 8, 2008 at 2:19 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Apr 8, 2008 at 5:30 PM CDT
CEDAR RAPIDS - Police say one would-be burglar didn't know what he was getting into this week. They took 16-year-old Jake Merfeld to the Linn County Detention Center. He now faces a second degree burglary charge and might have also gotten quite a headache all because he chose to break into the house at 426 35th St. SE.
Derdre Rodriguez came home for lunch, but inside she realized she wasn't alone. She had no idea who the other person was, and that's when her instinct to fight back kicked in.
Rodriguez says, "He was pretty shocked. The look on his face was where do I run?"
She says she caught the burglar slipping out her son's bedroom window onto the back deck. What he hadn't bargained for was breaking into a former pro-boxer's house.
"Yeah, I was saying a lot to him, especially when he was running out of gas, telling him what I was going to do to him once I caught him."
A decade since her boxing career ended, Rodriguez still keeps in shape by hitting the gym as much as she can.
"I was so angry. I wanted to throw something at him and when I grabbed this, I just kept it in my hand and when he went over the fence, I just went over after him."
She says the burglar broke part of the fence on his way over and landed in the neighbors' yard. That gave her a chance to catch up. She jumped the fence herself, dialed 911, and chased him down the block still clutching the ice chipper in her hand.
"Gave him one swat with this to the head and he pretty much stayed down after that."
Rodriguez dragged the burglar back to her house, forcing him to pick up a Playstation 3, a PSP, cell phones and video games -- the stolen items he dropped along the way.
"And then he asked me, 'You want me to go back into the house?' I said, 'Go back in the house and lay on the floor now.'"
Police arrived within minutes, then took the burglar to the hospital for his head injury. Rodriguez says even with her boxing background, she's glad for the police backup.
"It's hard to call 911 when you're jumping over fences and running after the guy, so yeah definitely call 911 first."
Rodriguez invested in an alarm system today. This burglar came in through her son's bedroom window, the only one that was actually unlocked. So she also suggests locking every door and window before leaving your house.
Email Josh Hinkle at Josh.Hinkle@kcrg.com
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Wednesday, Apr 23 at 5:08 AM grams wrote ...
I am really disappointed in a lot of you. She was protecting herself and had she waited for our although reliable police force to arrive this person would have been long gone. Then you all would be saying she should have chased him down. You know sometimes people just can't do anything right in the eyes of others. I feel she should be commended for what she did and if she is charged there is something wrong with our system.
Sunday, Apr 13 at 9:01 PM Anonymous wrote ...
Was she suppose to ask for his id to verify age first? My brother is the same age as the robber and stands 6"3 and looks like he is in his 20's.
Saturday, Apr 12 at 12:22 PM Anonymous wrote ...
what is the use? You evidently are biased because you only publish those you agree with....
Friday, Apr 11 at 3:44 PM D T wrote ...
He commited a felony. She was with in her rights to affect citizans arest. He is lucky he was not shot in side the home. If more people had the guts to defend what is theirs guys like this would think twice about violating other peoples homes. I say he got off lucky I would have defended my home with deadly force before he got out the window.
Thursday, Apr 10 at 5:09 PM gandydancer wrote ...
Lucky it was not my window. They would have been dealing with a 9mm hole in him somewhere.
Thursday, Apr 10 at 12:18 PM Lew wrote ...
She was within her rights to forcibly detain him. Had he been a fleeing FELON she would have been within her rights to employ LETHAL force, not merely to effect arrest but as the only alternative to his escape.
Thursday, Apr 10 at 9:10 AM Anonymous wrote ...
All I have to say is that the boy should be held responsialble for what he has done. It was wrong. However the woman should also be held responsiable for what she did, as she followed this boy off property and then hit him with this ice chipper. If any of you have or have had a teenager, you know how they can be, and it is not always the parents upbringing that is the issue. Most parents do care and are not on drugs and alcohol. think about that, those that are so quick to blame parents.
Thursday, Apr 10 at 8:30 AM Right is right wrote ...
I feel if the teen committed a crime and was punished the adult should face the same. She chased him down AFTER the threat to her and her stuff was over. At that point she became a criminal.
Thursday, Apr 10 at 8:03 AM mother of teen wrote ...
i am studying criminal justice in college and i think that the woman was just protecting her stuff but i do think she went a little too far. but you never know what you will do in that situation until it happens. she didnt kill the boy so she shouldnt be charged he broke into her house. i am very active in my daughters life. but she is still a rebellious teenager. so dont be quick to blame the parents that do care and participate in kids life. you go girl!!!!!
Wednesday, Apr 9 at 9:48 PM Carolyn wrote ...
Well the crime done is wrong, and he does need to be punished. My kids are grown but I think we need to quit blaming the parents all the time, the children are responsible for their own actions. Lets look at the environment the children are living in and the laws. Lets quit smacking hands and do something constructive with criminals. That is what we need to look at.
Wednesday, Apr 9 at 3:38 PM Nicole (continued) wrote ...
Like I said im not defending them but something does need to be done with both the parents and the kids. I know that it would never happen because we dont have the funding to. Speaking for myself tho, i grew up on a farm with both my parents who were hell bend on raising me to be a good person. If I had ever pulled that,,,i would pay the cops to keep me in jail i would be too scared to go home because there would be a bunch of backbreaking work and tanning of my hide. No thanks!
Wednesday, Apr 9 at 3:34 PM Nicole wrote ...
The thing is, his parents probably dont care what he does as long as they get to smoke and drink all they want. Parents need to be more involved in their kids lives not just because of drungs and alcohol, but also because of crime. This is a way to get a parents attention even if its the wrong way. Im not defending anyone. These kids have no sense of right or wrong. They follow in their parents footsteps because that is the only way they know. They see their parents doing drugs and drinking
Wednesday, Apr 9 at 2:40 PM Dave wrote ...
I WONDER WHAT HIS PARENTS DID TO CONTRIBUTE TO HIS BEHAVIOR FOR IT IS A 90
Wednesday, Apr 9 at 1:58 PM censorship sucks wrote ...
I keep writing about the current Iowa Law but it gets censored on here. What Derdre did was terrific but totally illegal in Iowa and puts her at risk of a civil suit and criminal charges. Change the law to punish criminals, not victoms!
Wednesday, Apr 9 at 1:41 PM mv senior wrote ...
Good for her standing up for her stuff...if i came come and sum one was in my house,after hearing all the bad stuff happening around Iowa city and cedar rapids i would of probley would of been the one running out of the house!
Wednesday, Apr 9 at 1:35 PM johnny rocco wrote ...
Well, it does appear that two crimes took place, the robbery etc as well as assult on a minor. Sure the kid had it coming but the home owner struck a child with a foreign object while the child was running away from her. The homeowner was not threatened or at risk of being hurt but still chose to chase and assult a child b/c she was'angry'. i hope that the homeowner enjoys her 5 mins of fame and that the next photo that we see of her is the one taken when she is processed for striking a minor
Wednesday, Apr 9 at 12:19 PM 42 yr Male wrote ...
I wouldnt dare assaulting a minor being a 42 yr old male. Can we get the police to verify what we're allowed to do within our homes opposed to off our properties?
Wednesday, Apr 9 at 10:54 AM unknown wrote ...
good job, i would have done alot more damage then that thou. nice job keeping your cool
Wednesday, Apr 9 at 10:52 AM Change the Law wrote ...
Congrats on catching the theif BUT let's all get the lawmaker's to change Iowa's stupid law which makes Derdre the criminal here. She is guilty of assault according to our law now. She is also subject to a civil lawsuit by the theive's parents for his damages. Of course this is WRONG but that is our current law. CHANGE IT so the victoms have rights not the criminals. All the TV news interviews celebrating this only secure her guilt. Shuttup about it so she isn't prosecuted too.
Wednesday, Apr 9 at 9:31 AM dena wrote ...
High Five to you Derdre. I wish I could shake your hand. I myself position baseball bats throughout my home just in case, but once "winter" is over I can bring in my ice scraper as another weapon. You are an inspiration to all, I'm not sure I would have had your courage. You showed that punk whats up!
Wednesday, Apr 9 at 9:25 AM Anonymous wrote ...
YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, Apr 9 at 9:24 AM Anonymous wrote ...
If she is sued for harming the boy, we as citizens need to demand that any charges on her are dropped. The kid was lucky she only whacked him upside the head! 6:23 is right! We have got to stop the litigation that is destroying our society. The crooks have more rights than the honest people any more!
Wednesday, Apr 9 at 9:09 AM A Mom wrote ...
Great work. Now, go apply for a job with the local law enforcement. I would feel much safer living in the area if you were patroling my streets. Punks wouldn't stand a chance and they'd be sure to get the thumpin' they deserve!
Wednesday, Apr 9 at 8:35 AM Shame on you KCRG wrote ...
Seriously,,,, how can we report this as news, and as good news. And to all of the people who are saying "you go girl".... get real! Last time I checked it was not ok to go all vigilante. We have police for a reason. It is one thing to attack an person when they are on your property, but how is it right to chase them down with an ice pick? And lets say this chaser was a male (not a female)- how many people would be saying "way to go man",, no it would be "wow, dude snapped"!!!!
Tuesday, Apr 8 at 10:45 PM Phil Phillips wrote ...
Well, I wonder: In this age of Prosecute The Victim, I wonder if she will be punished for having harmed a poor, innocent criminal.
Tuesday, Apr 8 at 8:36 PM Amy wrote ...
I LOVE it that you made him pick up the items he stole and dropped along the way. Definately MOM instinct kicked in. Naughty little boy! I'm sure he will not forget this and maybe you even taught him a VERY valuable lesson. KUDOS!
Tuesday, Apr 8 at 8:09 PM Holly Kamberling wrote ...
good job cuzo!!
Tuesday, Apr 8 at 7:11 PM Jason B. wrote ...
Good job representing, You have taken the name pop squad to another level! Hope he learns from the popp'n he got.
Tuesday, Apr 8 at 7:11 PM dave wrote ...
What horrible crimes in C.R. are you talking about?!
Tuesday, Apr 8 at 6:51 PM hiliarious wrote ...
good for her! he's lucky thats all that he got, consult the parents as well, why wasnt this child in school, curious...but good job derdre
Tuesday, Apr 8 at 6:50 PM To Tyree wrote ...
I like the way you think ;)
Tuesday, Apr 8 at 6:34 PM IC Native wrote ...
wow... with all of the horrible crimes in CR, I'm sure glad I do not live there.
Tuesday, Apr 8 at 6:23 PM Anonymous wrote ...
Go girl power. A guy would have shot him instead. He is lucky.
Tuesday, Apr 8 at 5:36 PM wow wrote ...
I'm glad she was able to control the situation. Kudos to her, as for the burgler, he needs to grow up and be a productive member of society. If you ask me, he deserves more punishment, not just probation!
Tuesday, Apr 8 at 5:11 PM girl power!! wrote ...
You go girl!
Tuesday, Apr 8 at 4:26 PM Tyree wrote ...
Great job and courage. If only the criminal justice system had the same. I guarantee you, this is not the first time this clown has tried this, nor will it be the last. Best solution: The U.S. has territory in Antarctica, right? Give him some seed potatoes, a packet of carrot seeds, a book of matches, a Swiss Army knife, and a penguin recipe book, and forget him.
Tuesday, Apr 8 at 4:19 PM Rachie wrote ...
Awesome! Hopefully he'll get the justice he deserves. Only 16 and already starting his rap sheet, I'd say they also need to consult with his parents.
Tuesday, Apr 8 at 3:37 PM Anonymous wrote ...
Lucky boy, plenty of people wouldnt have held thier cool and just knocked him on the head, he could have gotten off a lot worse. hope he learns his lesson
Tuesday, Apr 8 at 3:30 PM Anonymous wrote ...
serves the kid right. maybe he will now be a productive member of society.
Tuesday, Apr 8 at 3:25 PM Good job! wrote ...
Thats awesome!!!
Tuesday, Apr 8 at 2:40 PM DC wrote ...
Hopefully he learned a lesson. Good job Derdre
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