83-year-old woman says she fought off burglar with stick

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- An 83-year-old woman says she was robbed early Sunday, but fought off the burglar with a stick and a pot full of boiling water when she discovered her home in northeast Houston was invaded.

Lillie McClendon says the suspect choked her and demanded to know where she kept her money.

McClendon's daughter, Anita McClendon, got the disturbing phone call early this morning.

"It was the neighbor's number. They said my mom's house had been broken into," Anita said. "That just made me shake. It was about 6:30 and I still can't shake it off."

The home on Lockwood where her mother has lived for more than 50 years had been broken into. Her mother, who they call 'My dear,' was inside.

Lillie say she'd just showered and put a load of wash in when she saw a quilt on the floor, other things out of place and a window wide open.

"I couldn't see his face, just his eyes like that. All he was asking about was, 'Where's that money at? Where's that money at?'" she said.

The 83-year-old, who had just celebrated her birthday with family on Independence Day, had words for the man coming at her.

"I told him, I said, 'What kind of momma you got that raised you up like this? You oughta be ashamed of yourself,'" said Lillie.

She wasn't going to take it and fought him off.

"Oh shoot yeah. I got a stick and tried to hit him," she said. "I had sausage on the stove. I put hot water on him."

While he got away. he should have some minor injuries.

Lillie's family is relieved that's all she has, too, but say the man picked the wrong house today.

"Come in here to rob her, hurt her, harm her, to get something from her that she don't have, shame on you because that's despicable," said her daughter, Anita.

The suspect remains on the loose. If you have any information on this case, you're being asked to call authorities.