Action hero moment for state Senator
Friday, Nov 20, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) is the epitome of a gentle soul. But his public demeanor may just be a Clark Kentian cover. Check it out…
A state senator from Peoria says he fought off an armed robber who interrupted him while he was doing some remodeling at his business.
Democratic Sen. Dave Koehler says he was painting Thursday night when a man with a gun appeared and demanded money. Koehler says he gave the robber what was in his pocket and told him to leave.
The man demanded Koehler’s cell phone next, but the senator says he instead knocked the man against a wall and took the gun.
He took the gun away from the criminal? Wow.
- 47th Ward - Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 1:53 pm:
This is why we need concealed carry…oh, wait.
Koehler is a great guy, and I am happy this ended well for him. What a great story!
- TJ - Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 1:55 pm:
heh…. well, I guess that means that no one can ever accuse him of being soft on crime again!
- Steve-O - Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 1:59 pm:
Who needs concealed carry permits? We should just encourage unarmed people to just over-power armed robbers.
This is a great story, but Koehler is lucky he wasn’t killed or seriously injured.
- John Bambenek - Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 2:07 pm:
A blanket idea of preemptive surrender encourages criminals. Some people can’t overpower attackers, that’s on thing. Others can. Armed robbery happens because most people are told to roll over. The attacker gets away. Many never get caught.
It’s simple economics… increase their risk, they’ll reduce their chances by taking it.
If you can safely overpower an attacker, you should do so.
- TTL, III - Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 2:07 pm:
Great story and I’m so happy that he’s ok - he’s truly a great guy. Although I can’t help but wonder whether he was wearing sandals at the time…
- wordslinger - Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 2:08 pm:
Kids, don’t try that at home. Give them the phone. The better to track the guy, anyway.
I’m glad the senator’s okay.
- John Bambenek - Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 2:08 pm:
And another thing… isn’t anyone just a bit concerned that not one, but TWO state **legislators** have been attacked by armed robbers in under a week?
Yeah, coincidence and all that, but if state legislators are getting held up we may have a bigger crime problem than we are willing to admit.
- Cindy Lou - Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 2:18 pm:
The North end has had a rash of trouble also in parking lots of late. Glad to hear he’s okay.
- casual observer - Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 2:18 pm:
It’s a good story with a good ending. Now that he’s had a chance to change his underwear and think about what happened, I wonder if he’d do it again.
- Rich Sr - Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 2:24 pm:
So happy to read that he is OK.
- VanillaMan - Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 3:01 pm:
He didn’t go far enough. I would have forced the guy to strip and do a little dance while singing, “I’m a little teapot”, while the cops rolled up.
- wordslinger - Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 3:07 pm:
VMan, why would you force the guy to strip? TMI, brother.
- VanillaMan - Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 3:13 pm:
For the sheer humiliation of it. These guys remember better when they are humiliated - it get through their little brains better.
- RobRoy - Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 3:29 pm:
Glad the Senator is okay….risky business taking on a thug with a gun.
- Arthur Andersen - Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 3:32 pm:
VM, AA would leave the humiliation to the five-o as well.
Just sayin’.
- dupage progressive - Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 4:21 pm:
wow — action hero, indeed!
So glad he’s okay.
Sen. Koehler is a great guy and I’m relieved he’s okay. Two great potential sponsors for gun safety legislationk right?? Collins & Koehler - the new dream team.
- Ghost - Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 4:21 pm:
your missing the point Word, AA and VM. Once he had the gun, he still had all that painting work left to be finished. Put the guy to some honest work then call the cops.
- Steve Reese - Friday, Nov 27, 09 @ 3:08 am:
RE: “If you can safely overpower an attacker, you should do so.”
I knew a guy who thought he could overpower an attacker. He worked in a convenience store. Died for someone else’s money. I would give them the cell phone but I wouldn’t go in the cooler.