Intruder Attacks 67-Year-Old Woman But Doesn't Know She Has 26 Years Of Martial Arts Training

By Joseph Muna

Updated on November 12, 2021

A 67-year-old woman used decades of martial arts training to fight off an intruder at a senior apartment complex.

If there's one thing you should learn when dealing with other humans, never 'judge a book by its cover.'

Lorenza Marrujo may be 67 and less than five feet tall, but her age and small stature are in no way comparable to her fierce capabilities.

intruder attacks 67-year-old woman but doesn't know she has 26 years of martial arts training

She has 26 years of martial arts training. So when an intruder broke into her Fontana, California, apartment, she didn't only protect herself but also her neighbors.

What Really Happened?

An intruder recently broke into Lorenza's apartment. As he came toward her, she confidently confronted him, telling him to back off.

The man fled her home at once, and Lorenza thought she had fended him off for good.

But soon after their initial confrontation, Lorenza heard someone screaming from a nearby apartment.

It turns out, that same intruder had left Lorenza's place, only to break into the home of her neighbor, 81-year-old Elizabeth McCray.

This time, the man intended to harm her. First, he physically grabbed Elizabeth, shaking her and causing her to fall to the floor.

Lorenza, However, Refused to Watch Her Friend Be a Victim

After seeing her friend tossed to the ground, Lorenza said she couldn't let the man get away with it.

So, she decided to bring out her secret combat moves.

She told a news outlet:

I squeezed myself between her and him. Then, I put [McCray] on the side, and I jumped on him.

I was punching him and everything, and I had the cane against his throat.

Lorenza said she didn't want to kill the intruder, so she switched positions to hold him down with her hands.

She said:

He lifted up and tried to twist my hand. At the same time, I twisted his and turned it around really fast.

He was saying, 'You're hurting me.' And I said, 'I don't care. I don't care what happens to you. You had no right to hurt an elderly person.'

Police Arrived at the Apartment and Arrested the Man

Paramedics also took McCray to the hospital for treatment, with minor injuries.

Speaking of Lorenza's bravery, McCray said:

I didn't expect that little lady would be that brave. I was trembling. So, I grabbed her by the leg and said, 'Be careful. He's going to kill us.' She said, 'Not tonight.'

It Safe to Say, the Internet Was Impressed

Police recommend that people shouldn't jump into situations like this, but instead call 911. However, they were pleased Lorenza managed to fight off the intruder.

Police spokesperson, Jennie Venzor, said:

We recommend that you dial 911 for emergency assistance, which, in this case, she did that and also jumped in.

What she told me is that her training kicked in. And it was like muscle memory. She knew she had to help her friend out.