Woman, 70, Fights Off Intruders With Pan

(CBS)  This story was originally broadcast Feb. 28, 2009

A feisty 70-year-old woman who fought off four home intruders by whacking one with a signature Emeril Lagasse saucepan was upset when police took it as evidence after apprehending the suspects.

But now, Ellen Basinski, of Elyria, outside Cleveland, has lots of replacement Lagasse cookware coming her way, courtesy of the chef himself, and The Early Show Saturday Edition.

The feisty Basinski was on the phone with her husband, a local judge, when the would-be robbers entered the house.

"I was angry," she says.

As one of them started rummaging through her purse, she grabbed her favorite trademark Lagasse saucepan and, as the famous chef himself likes to say, BAM!

"He told the police it almost knocked him out," Basinski says. "I gave it a good whack. I figured, 'You might get only one swing, lady, so make it good!'"

The four tried to defend themselves.

"It appears that one of the suspects picked up a Jack Daniels bottle and just threw it at her," says Elyria Police Lt. Andy Eichenlaub.

"The thrower said, 'I wanted to get out of there to stop her from beating up my friend," Basinski points out.

As all that was happening, her husband had his secretary call 911.

uickly arrived and, shortly afterwards, arrested an 18-year-old and three juveniles.

"Mrs. Basinski showed she is a tough lady," Eichenlaub observed.

Tough or not - she wanted to replace the saucepan and, when Lagasse heard about the incident, he decided to send her a set of his cookware.

And, after Early Show Saturday Edition co-anchor Chris Wragge interviewed Basinski, he told her the show is also sending some Lagasse items her way.

Basinski told Wragge she decided to take action "when the young man dumped out the contents of my purse, and was going through my stuff. Now, my purse is like Fibber McGee and Molly's closet. There was important stuff in there, and I thought, 'Wait a minute. I don't do this to you. I don't do it to anyone. And you shouldn't do it to me!'

"So, I turned around and picked up my pot. ... I took maybe ten steps to where he was leaning over the chair, rifling through this stuff, and I wound up and gave him a good crack. And he stood up and didn't say (anything), but looked at me like, 'Lady, why did you do that?'

(CBS)

"So I hit him again!"

"I was never afraid," added Basinski (left), "because I knew that the police were on the way, and I also knew that God takes care of little old ladies and foolish women, and I don't know what category I belong in!"

Basinski also told Wragge her husband is "very proud, but he said in talking to someone, 'She did everything I told her not to!' But, you have to understand that we had five sons, so young men do not intimidate me."

Local Video from CBS 2 HD in New York

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[jvon27]

mrs.lady that is great they should have known that you wasn't a joke.here you got a 70 year old lady that still up and moving that wasn't going to take anything off anyone,i like your style i want to still have heart just like you when i reach that age GOD willing. p.s-by the way keep up the good work you make people like myself to be a little more confident when i reach 70 years old.& i hope i still look good like yourself "YOU GO GIRL"

[missingamerica]

Great story. Justice, and a good laugh at the same time? How can you beat that?

[Devans0]

I have watched Emeril Lagasse give much over the years, including teaching cooking crafts to groups of people who need that chance to learn a decent trade and be self supporting as well as paying for their scholarships. He is very generous of time, talent and money and has worked hard for New Orleans. He truly doesn't deserve this criticism.

[888irish]

Now see, I knew there had to be an American out there somewhere that didn't have to depend on a gun to protect themselves!

[linfinster]

Well I don't have any Emeril ware I just hope my Revere ware can hold up as well!!! lol

[nevminer]

This lady reminds me of my mother. My mother would knock your head off if you rifled her purse. That purse is off limits and I learnd early not to stick my hands in her purse. That is being disrespectful and that is not allowed in any circle.

[tperkpa]

Man, this story is at least 4 days old. I remember reading it on Wed. I guess CBS has nothing new to write about so they bring in the old news. Pretty said don't you think?

[mrs-smith1]

FYI, Chris' comment introducing this clip was wrong. He stated it was an exclusive interview but she was on Good Morning America yesterday.

[RebeccaandMark]

Mm...interesting. Bring it on you say? OK. You have a good point that she has a big family - agreed - 5 sons and all those 13 grandchildren. I would not be able to say for sure that she does not cook for them all....but I have a hard time agreeing that this often at her age. But I can give you that one - that she might use it. You can disagree with all I said. West coastie? Not sure where that comes from ....You obviously didn't ready all of my comment as I live in the midwest....I referred to Lincoln, NE, in my comments. You are missing the real point here. It is not that I don't think she is deserving of the spotlight and the story on national TV - I thought it was a great story. I just think the show could have used this so much better. More pans???? I DO have expense gourmet cookware and absolutely love it and use it daily. I appreciate it and so does Ellen - on so many levels!! It is just my perspective and disappointment and opinion that both the chef and the show could have really done something with this....Lagasse is one thing but then CBS needs to do it as well? That is senseless.

[mediabrat60]

Posted by RebeccaandMark at 7:56 AM;

Are you kidding?! You obviously have never cooked with Gourmet cookware!
Nor cooked big meals for many people!!
Try it sometimes! You'l see what i am talking about.

This woman has a big family and no doubt would very much use it all!

Being a lover of people and a lover of gourmat cooking.....................
I would take 10 sets of Emeril's cookware anyday, even though I have a very
expensive set of my own.........................BRING IT!
That would be most exciting!!

You guys are probably west coasters!