Four would-be robbers were foiled by a pan-wielding 70-year-old woman recently. The fearful foursome now has a date with the court system while the woman got herself a brand new kitchenware set.

The incident in Elyria, OH, near Cleveland, began when four teen boys forced their way into the home of Ellen Basinski, wife of a local family court judge, and demanded money. Rather than being intimidated, the septugenarian woman took hold of a 5-quart Emeril Lagasse saucepan and hit one of the teens over the head. Apparently, the vigorous resistance so intimidated the robbers that they fled. They were soon captured by police with the help of neighbors.

Basinski's actions made the national news and alerted a quick-thinking Emeril to seize the opportunity for some good publicity. He announced that he would send the woman a brand new cookware set to replace not just the pan she used (reportedly her favorite, and now apparently seized as evidence) but a whole 10-piece set.

As for the stay-out-of-the-kitchen gang, perhaps jail is the best place. After all, once they get back out on the street, there's no way they're ever living this down…