Woman foils attacker with offer of food Woman foils attacker with offer of food (December 17, 2003)

Police laud would-be victim's quick thinking

by Tyler Hanley

An offer of food by a fast-thinking, elderly Palo Alto woman diverted a would-be attacker at 1:30 a.m. Saturday, resulting in his arrest.

Palo Alto police officer Jim Coffman said the woman awoke to find herself being assaulted by a naked man who had broken into her home in the Evergreen Park area of Palo Alto, north of California Avenue.

The woman attempted to fight off her attacker, but failing that, asked him if he wanted something to eat. He opted for the food and allowed the woman to go to the kitchen.

"The first thing I thought when I heard about this case was that our most potent weapon is our mind," said Coffman. "This woman was quick enough to distract her attacker using her mind as a weapon."

Instead of going to the kitchen, she ran to a neighbor, who called 911. The woman, who was not identified, was uninjured. Police arrested Bruce Lee Blackburn, 49, identified as a homeless transient, while he was still in the woman's home. He was booked into Santa Clara County Jail on a charge of assault with attempt to commit rape, and is to be arraigned in Palo Alto Superior Court early this week.

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