Karate instructor takes down would-be burglar in Littleton
By Tillie Fong, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published September 17, 2008 at 9:54 p.m.
Kevin Kowalczik
Kyle J. Torres
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.
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September 18, 2008
12:43 a.m.
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JDJW writes:
It really makes you think. A story like this sounds great; because, it turned out great. If Kowalczik had been stabbed or shot, this story would lose its glimmer. It shows you the predicament that vigilante behavior can create for law enforcement. On the one hand you might have a case like this, where the bad guy loses and the good guy wins. But, you could just as easily have the good guy hurt or dead and the bad guy elevated to a violent or murderous criminal.
My initial response was, "Way to go Kevin! Good for you!" But, I wouldn't want to see someone with less sense or training, try to imitate him. Again, the dilemma of law enforcement.
As for this particular case: Way to go Kevin; you stopped the bad guy and protected your neighborhood! I can't fault you for that.
September 18, 2008
5:10 a.m.
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ghostrider76613 writes:
Call 911- A much better option
September 18, 2008
6:25 a.m.
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Simplystunned writes:
ghostrider76613 writes:
Call 911- A much better option
How so? The bad guy would have been long gone by the time the cops showed up. I agree with JDJW, that it could have gone bad, but it didn't. Obviously, in this case, calling 911 would NOT have been the better option.
September 18, 2008
8:03 a.m.
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AngelontheSidelines writes:
Good thing Kevin prevailed here. His move to take down the burglar is effective, and popular in the MMA arena, but a knife added to the situation is a recipe for grave injury or worse.
Defending yourself, and loved ones from criminals is one thing, but small time burglary? When both parties go to the ground, odds increase drastically that someone is going to die.
Better to call 911 and continue following for a better description for the cops. Why risk your hide for a measly cash box?
September 18, 2008
8:05 a.m.
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fiesty writes:
I agree that an ordinary citizen shouldn't try to be a hero, and should call 911. However, I don't see a problem with someone with training (be it an off-duty cop, military, or in this case, karate instructor) attempting to detain the burgler.
Reminds me of the case where a would-be rapist tried to assault a female jogger- who turned out to be a Taekwondo instructor. He got his -ss kicked. Poetic justice. Maybe he'll think twice next time!
September 18, 2008
8:28 a.m.
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mt writes:
A guy does the right thing and all he does is get criticized. This guy should be given an award for acting. I agree that it is ok to call 911 but we can't rely on the police to do everything for us. Be proactive and take a stand in your community. Help out by stopping the people who are stealing even if it is only a poor little "cash box".
September 18, 2008
9:17 a.m.
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Scott writes:
Good job Kevin! Hopefully that POS Torres will think twice before it tries to rob again.
Beware Kevin, the POS will probably try to hire a Bag of $#!t (lawyer) to try to sue you for emotional damages or some such nonsense.
Scott
September 18, 2008
9:23 a.m.
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Jojowalk writes:
We all need to stand up and quit being afraid!! Maybe you do get shot. Maybe you don't. Calling 911 would not have captured the thief. Stand up America!
September 18, 2008
9:28 a.m.
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theairdog writes:
Dirty Harry said it best, "A man's got to know his limitations".
MarineGrunt, you are correct, but most people here get their impression of what fighting must be like from watching the MMA, just as they get their impression of how to do Law Enforcement from watching The Shield or CSI.
This guy knew what he was doing, because he took time to LEARN what he was doing (instead of watching TV), and he saw his opportunity and took the extra step of actually doing something about it.
What I find interesting here, is the large number of comments that show just how much we have moved from being a country where people wanted nothing more than the chance to fend for themselves, to a country that wants nothing more than the government to fend for them. Nowadays, nobody wants to get involved.
Angel, this instructor realized that the burglar had committed several burglaries in the area, and made the personal decision to go the extra step - realizing that it was likely that if all he did was call 9/11, this burglar was likely to be able to go on committing burglaries. You sound like one of the people who would rather have had David (of David and Goliath fame) sit safely on the sidelines, too.
Kudos to a man who knew exactly what to do, and went the extra step and did it. That's what made this country the country it used to be.
The rest of you don't have to go the extra step, but don't criticize a man who knew exactly what he was doing and DID go the extra step.
September 18, 2008
10:27 a.m.
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TC writes:
Jojowalk - Exactly!
Ran down some bad guys once in my old neighborhood in Denver. While I chased them down somebody else called the cops. The cops got there just in time to see me beating crap out of one of them. The only thing the cops said to me was "Don't stop on our account".
September 18, 2008
10:58 a.m.
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COLibertarian writes:
Wow!!! this is one the most amazing and depressing posting threads I think I have ever witnessed.
If I stand up for my rights, my family, and my property to be subsequently shot, somebody is actually going to feel bad that the shooter will now recieve elevated charges? Amazing
I have been told in my neighborhood that if you ignore them, call 911 and stay out of their way you will not be hurt. Yea right..... Is that before or after I provide cookies and milk???
Standup-Get Involved-Be a participant on your street. Understand what is going on and by whom. Yes CALL 911 but also get out on the street and take your street back. Talk to the hoodlums. Go right up and introduce yourself and get into a conversation. If they dont like it they will move on. When they know citizens are active and involved in their streets, the thugs want nothing to do with that area. Where do they move? To the areas where it is accepted, either openly or by default. Default being not involved, hiding in your house, and relying on others.
This should not be an entitled society, but this fact is rapidly approaching. You can blame it on 1 party or the other, but in the end, we only have ourselves to blame for the mess we are in.
September 18, 2008
11:09 a.m.
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Willy writes:
DP is running a story about a Ft. Fun woman who stopped a sexual assult by beating the guy with a vacuum hose. Now we're talkin'.
September 18, 2008
11:33 a.m.
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davies writes:
Did she stop a sexual assault by beating the guy with a vacuum hose, or commit a sexual assault? Depends on the guy I guess ;-)
Anyway, I don't see where the martial arts training came into play much in this story. Perp Dude was running away. Karate Dude took him down from behind and held him, while someone else was calling for help. In any case I certainly see no need to criticize or question someone if they want to take a personal risk to stop a crime. It's his/her decision, and good for him for doing so and succeeding.
September 18, 2008
12:03 p.m.
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Sensible writes:
Another Obamamama voter bites the dust (Kyle J. Torres).
Steal steal steal...
September 18, 2008
2:21 p.m.
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mmannino writes:
This act was not vigilantism. Vigilatism involves administration of justice, not essentially making a citizens arrest. Law enforcement and the justice system will deal with the perpetrator. I applaud his bravery although this action is not for everyone. The neighborhood will be safer as a result of his action.
September 18, 2008
2:22 p.m.
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MattGuyver_007 writes:
Yeah, call 911- you cowards. Defend your community. I'm not worried about a bunch of Islamic radicals hijacking an airliner with box cutters again because passengers won't allow it- they will die fighting for control of the aircraft.
With that said, it is extremely risky to jump into a situation like this so I really can't blame people for ignoring a non-violent crime but if more people acted we would all be safer. I worry more about the scum bag lawyers who would help Torres and his ilk sue.
Long live the 2nd amendment.
September 18, 2008
4:36 p.m.
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Squatch writes:
Im glad this worked out for him this time and give him kudos more adults need to be this aware.
I only hope that his students (children) dont get a false sense of courage due to their level of karate experience and ever try to stop something like this without alarming adults.