Woman, 80, fights off armed robbers with mangoes

The 80-year-old mother-in-law of a New Bedford, Massachusetts, store owner fearlessly began hurling fruit at a pair of robbers after one of them pistol whipped her in the head. Otilia Martins was shopping at her family's store, Continental Market on Sawyer Street, when two men entered the store at around 1:30 p.m. on Friday and held it up at gunpoint.



The grandmother attempted to thwart the robbery and even ran after the suspects. During the robbery, one of the men hit the 80-year-old Portuguese immigrant with the gun. Martins received a laceration from the blow, but she did not give up without a fight. Instead, she began hurling mangoes at the suspect with the gun.

The suspects were allegedly able to get away with $500 in cash, but were later caught by police after a 15-minute chase. The weapon believed to be used during the robbery was found in a second floor apartment at a building on Belleville Avenue.


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Police identify the suspects as Jesse Dossantos, 32, and Eduardo Torres Lopez, Jr., 22. The men face charges that include armed robbery and robbery while masked, carrying a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery on a person over the age of 60. Martins did not need medical attention for her injury.

With news video.