August 31, 2006

Local hero

New Almaden intruder no match for 14-year-old black belt

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Anthony Dippel’s quick action protected his family from a burglar recently when the14-year-old armed with a bo staff chased off an intruder from their New Almaden home.

All’s well that ends well. Left: Anthony Dippel, Austin Dippel and Kelly Dippel holding Snickers. Photos by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

“I scared him off when I came downstairs,” said the young Dippel. “I was scared, but I’d do it again.

I couldn’t believe someone was in my house.”

The morning of Aug 15, the Leland High School student was preparing a karate project in his bedroom while his 7-year-old brother, Austin was playing video games. Both were upstairs in the family’s two-story home when he heard the family dog, Snickers, barking and the screen door to the kitchen open. The next thing Dippel heard was someone ransacking through the silverware drawer in the kitchen.

Dippel, who earned his black belt two years ago, reports that he sprang into action, grabbing a bo staff—a 5-foot karate weapon taller than the one he uses during the martial arts training he has studied for the past seven years—and telling Austin to stay upstairs. He ended up confronting the burglar and chasing him out of the house and through the screen door and front gate.

But Dippel’s quick thinking didn’t end there. He immediately called his mom, Kelly Dippel, who was on her way home, as he locked all the doors. Then he called 911. The San Jose Police Department arrived in minutes and launched an investigation of the house and neighborhood.

“Anthony was very brave,” said Kelly Dippel. “We are all so proud of him.”

A week prior, a man rang the Dippel’s doorbell at approximately 11 p.m. in the evening and claimed to be selling magazines. The Dippels suspect that this person was casing the neighborhood at that time.

“People are leaving doors open,” said San Jose Police Department Sgt. Nick Muyo. “And thieves will come in through unlocked doors. Burglar alarms, dogs or neighbors watching out for each other help, but keep the doors and windows locked. And call 911 if you suspect there is someone in the house.”

Although the police would prefer that people don’t confront intruders, the 14-year-old clearly took a risk and fortunately the confidence he earned from his years of karate paid off.