88-year-old foils gun-bearing robber

PORTLAND, Ore., July 30 (UPI) -- A Portland, Ore., WWII veteran helped chase off a gun-carrying robber with his cane, say police -- who nevertheless don't encourage the tactic.

Art Iwasaki. 88, awoke from a nap Monday afternoon to find a masked man with a gun demanding money next to him. With help from his daughter, Stephanie Sakauye, 55, he managed to drive off the young robber and assist in a police search, the Portland Oregonian reported Wednesday.

Iwasaki's daughter was speaking on a portable telephone headset when she became aware of the situation. The person on the other end of the conversation alerted police while she distracted the would-be robber, the report said. Then Iwasaki picked up his cane and briefly tangled with the approximately 20-year-old man before he ran off empty handed.

Iwasaki believes he recognized the would-be robber from an earlier visit to his home in the guise of a school fundraiser. Investigators are continuing to follow up on leads.