11-year-old girl runs after robber with dad’s crutch

Whoever held stereotypes that preteen girls just stay home and gab on the phone all day probably haven’t met Rena Sciascia. Armed with one of her dad’s crutches, this 11-year-old girl bravely ran after the robber that broke into their home and stole her iPod and Xbox 360.

Whoever held stereotypes that preteen girls just stay home and gab on the phone all day probably haven’t met Rena Sciascia. Armed with one of her dad’s crutches, this 11-year-old girl bravely ran after the robber that broke into their home and stole her iPod and Xbox 360.

It was a Tuesday afternoon when Rena’s dad noticed someone running out of the back of their home in Otaki, New Zealand. He later found that their home was missing an iPod, and Xbox 360, a few games, and some cash.

Unable to run after the scoundrel with a broken leg, Rena’s dad couldn’t retrieve the goods, forcing his daughter to take matters (and his crutch) into her own hands. “She just grabbed the crutch and started chasing him,” he said.

With weapon in hand, Rena had three priorities:

1. Get her Xbox 360 and games back
2. Get her iPod back
3. Beat the batshit out of the robber with aforementioned crutch

While she certainly would have won major Achievement Points for getting 3/3, Rena only got her Xbox 360 back. She lost the guy after chasing him for 500 meters. “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,” Rena said. While she ran after the burglar, her dad phoned the police and followed her with the family car.

Rena might not have been able to catch the crook, but the police sure did. They later found the stolen Xbox and the games hidden in a bush near the Sciascia home, but the iPod was never found. The robber was a 15-year-old boy, also from Otaki – he’ll face robbery charges in Levin Youth Court tomorrow.

“I was really proud of her grabbing my stick and chasing him. It was awesome,” said the proud dad. As for the mom: “[Rena] does not tolerate any injustice. I am extremely proud of her but have told her about the potential danger.”

Photo courtesy of The Dominion Post

[via The Dominion Post]