77-year-old woman defies robber

A 77-year-old woman foiled a teenage boy who tried to rob her.

Police said the boy went on to the woman's property and confronted her while she was getting into her car.

He demanded her purse and threatened to harm her if she didn't comply.

The woman told police she "grabbed his finger and fought back", and the boy fled.

The woman called 111 and police caught the boy a few streets away.

A 16-year-old will appear in Masterton Youth Court charged with 14 counts of burglary and a charge of demanding with menaces.

- WAIRARAPA TIMES-AGE