83-year-old WWII vet fends off teen robber

YARMOUTH (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) - Yarmouth police say an 83-year-old World War II Marine Corps veteran fought off a 19-year-old man who broke into his home and attacked him with a glass candlestick.

Police say the suspect broke into the home at about 8:30 p.m. on Monday. The homeowner fought back and yelled to his wife, who called police, prompting the suspect to flee.

He was picked up a short time later, with blood on his shirt and items allegedly stolen from the home. Alan Menchin was held on $10,000 bail after pleading not guilty to charges including assault and battery at his arraignment Tuesday.

The homeowner needed treatment for cuts and bruises. He asked not to be identified out of concern for his safety.

Lt. Steven Xiarhos said he was proud of the veteran for fighting off "a punk."

Yarmouth Police released the following:

On Monday, September 6, 2010 at approximately 8:23PM the Yarmouth Police Department received a frantic emergency 911 call from a woman reporting that her husband had just been violently attacked by an unknown male during a home invasion on South Street in the Bass River portion of South Yarmouth. Yarmouth Police Dispatcher Patrol Officer Kevin Antonovitch was able to obtain and broadcast a description of the suspect as Yarmouth Police Patrol Officers Raymond Scichilone-Mark Noone-Paul Mellett-Sean Brewer-Sean Gannon-and K9 Officer Mark Thibeault as well as members of the Massachusetts State Police responded to the scene.

As police units arrived and saturated the immediate area, Massachusetts State Police Trooper Steven Culver spotted a male matching the description of the suspect in the area of the Bass River Beach which was less than ¼ mile from the scene. Trooper Culver detained the suspect as Yarmouth Police Patrol Sergeant John Fallon arrived and assisted in the on-scene investigation. The detained suspect was soaking wet and had fresh blood on his white t-shirt and cuts on his hands and was found to have property stolen from the home. He was subsequently placed under arrest and transported to Yarmouth Police Headquarters.

Yarmouth Police Detective Eric Nuss and Barnstable County Crime Scene Investigators William Jacques and Tim Wallace conducted crime scene management and evidence collection services.

Detective Nuss further interviewed the victim-who had been treated at the scene by members of the Yarmouth Fire Department for numerous lacerations to his head and face and transported to Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis. The victim and his wife were able to provide a detailed description of what had occurred stating that the suspect had broken into the residence and attacked the male occupant as he was seated in the living room watching television. When his wife heard him screaming she ran downstairs and observed the suspect beating her husband with a glass candlestick and his fists. The husband-a retired United States Marine World War II Veteran-fought back fiercely and the suspect fled out a door and into the riverfront area.

The suspect was held overnight on $10,000 bail and was transported this morning to the Barnstable District Court for arraignment .

Arrested Person

Alan Menchin-Age 19

Charges

• Felony Assault and Battery While Armed with a Dangerous Weapon on a Person Over 60
• Felony Home Invasion
• Felony Assault and Battery Causing Serious Injury
• Felony Larceny from a Building