An 80 year old Maine woman displayed quick thinking and Down East practical wisdom in outsmarting an intruder she spotted walking through her house in Hampden.

The woman asked the man what he was doing there. In response the 6’1″, 250 lb intruder grabbed the woman from behind and pushed her towards the bedroom. At the door to the bedroom, the woman braced herself against the door frame trying to break free. Then she did something that may have scared off the intruder. She told him that she was having a heart attack.

The woman convinced the man to take her to the garage to retrieve her heart medication from her car. On their return to the house, the intruder locked her in a bathroom and fled.

Police, who had become suspicious of a pick-up truck parked near the home, quickly arrested Daniel Thanem, 45, a convicted sex offender.

“The lady had enough common sense to keep her wits about her to fake a heart attack and avoid becoming another victim,” said police Sgt. Dan Stewart.

Bangor Daily News