Report: Bandit's gun fake

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Police say a Pittsburgh man got the better of a 74-year-old robber when he realized the alleged intruder's gun was a toy.

Bill Wettengel, 59, told police he was taking out the trash when a man with a gun forced him back into his house and demanded money, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Thursday.

Wettengel said he was ready to hand over his wallet when his wife, Tina, 46, saw the gun was green and mouthed the words, "It's fake." Wettengel told police he then punched the intruder in the face and grabbed his gun during a scuffle while Tina Wettengel called police,, the newspaper said.

Police arrested a suspect and charged him with robbery, burglary, loitering, prowling, simple assault, terroristic threats, theft, receiving stolen property and false imprisonment, said police Sgt. Kevin Gasiorowski.

Police said Bill Wettengel, who suffered a scrape on his head and a sore hand and shoulder, had the right to defend his home but took a serious risk.

"It's not worth your life just to save some property," Gasiorowski told the Tribune-Review.