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Action hero moment for state Senator

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Illinois

* 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.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 1:49 pm

Comments

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!

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 1:53 pm
heh…. well, I guess that means that no one can ever accuse him of being soft on crime again!

Comment by TJ Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 1:55 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.

Comment by Steve-O Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 1:59 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.

Comment by John Bambenek 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…

Comment by TTL, III Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 2:07 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.

Comment by wordslinger 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.

Comment by John Bambenek Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 2:08 pm
The North end has had a rash of trouble also in parking lots of late. Glad to hear he’s okay.

Comment by Cindy Lou 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.

Comment by casual observer Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 2:18 pm
So happy to read that he is OK.

Comment by Rich Sr Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 2:24 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.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 3:01 pm
VMan, why would you force the guy to strip? TMI, brother.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 3:07 pm
For the sheer humiliation of it. These guys remember better when they are humiliated - it get through their little brains better.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 3:13 pm
Glad the Senator is okay….risky business taking on a thug with a gun.

Comment by RobRoy Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 3:29 pm
VM, AA would leave the humiliation to the five-o as well.

Just sayin’.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 3:32 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.

Comment by dupage progressive 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.

Comment by Ghost Friday, Nov 20, 09 @ 4:21 pm
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.

Comment by Steve Reese Friday, Nov 27, 09 @ 3:08 am