Grandmother Forces Criminals to Sweep Her House

By Melanie Brooks WTSP-TV

ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- Ever been on the receiving end of an angry grandmother?

It?s not pleasant.

They don?t hold back. Their eyebrows furrow. Their jaws clench. Any minute you think fire and brimstone may come out of their eyes and shoot through your forehead.

In short, it?s terrifying. Three teenagers in St. Petersburg had to learn this the hard way. They got the scolding of their lives, in the course of a crime.

81-year-old Maxine Cortimiglia looks like a docile, quiet lady. She lives alone, weighs less than 100 pounds, and stands just over five feet tall.

Looks can be deceiving.

Tuesday evening, Maxine wanted to take an early evening nap, even though it was just 6:00, with bright sunshine streaming through her windows.

She never thought someone would break into her home by smashing a glass window in her kitchen. Her first reaction: in her own words, fury.

?I can?t believe they would pick on me. I was mad. [Were you scared?] Scared of what? 3 kids, sheesh!?

She yelled at them, ?If you think I?ve got money, you?re out of your mind!?

As they demanded cash, Maxine noticed something that got her even more fired up. Broken glass all over her kitchen. That, she says, was the final straw.

She yelled at the kids to clean up their mess.

?I was furious! Pick up the glass! Sweep it up! Make it hurry! You don?t leave glass laying around when there?s an old lady and cats.? She paused and got a huge grin on her face, ?I?m the old lady!?

Yep, she schooled three thugs in her own kitchen, watching them as they took a broom and cleaned up their mess. Bold and brave. She says, it was her anger that took over.

Unfortunately, the teenagers didn?t leave empty handed. They got Maxine?s crucifix and wedding band from a jewelry box, plus $300.

In the end, she had one final message for these kids, who, as of Thursday night, remain on the loose.

?Drop dead!?