Montreal Teen Tackles Burglar, Becomes Local Hero Overnight

UPDATE: A Montreal university student is being hailed as a hero after he bravely tackled a masked burglar breaking into his family home in August. 19-year-old Charles Seitz confronted the intruder while his family slept upstairs, showcasing incredible courage and skill.

Just after returning home from a night out, Seitz entered his kitchen and encountered the intruder. “I saw a guy jump out from one of our rooms,” he recounted. “He had a bright flashlight, and it’s pitch black in the house so that kind of blinded me… I froze for a second or two.” The back door had been left unlocked, allowing the burglar easy access.

In a split second, the masked man charged at him. Seitz, a former high school wrestling champion with jiu-jitsu training, reacted instinctively. “I punched him in the face and tackled him, took him down, got him in a chokehold,” he explained. “I felt him grabbing on my arms, but it only takes a couple seconds.”

His father, Chris Seitz, heard the commotion and rushed downstairs, only to find his son had already restrained the intruder. “Charles was very calm. I was so impressed with how calm he was through it,” Chris said. “I remember him saying, ‘Sir, I have control of your airway.’”

While Charles maintained control, his sister, Jacqueline Seitz, dialed 911. The family held the suspect down until police arrived about 15 minutes later. “I was just telling him, like, ‘You’re the coolest person on the planet,’” Jacqueline recalled, expressing her relief and admiration for her brother’s bravery.

The suspect, Gheorghita Onisei, a 58-year-old man, has been linked to at least 20 other break-ins in the area and is now in police custody. Reports indicate that he previously served six years in a German prison for multiple burglaries.

“I think residents were very relieved,” said Christina Smith, mayor of Westmount. “It had caused a lot of stress for the people that had these incidents.”

In recognition of his quick actions, Seitz was awarded a certificate from the Montreal police. “That was quite the father-son moment,” Chris Seitz shared humorously, as the family reflects on the incident. Just weeks later, Charles began his first year at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont., where the story has already made for an engaging icebreaker.

In light of the incident, the Seitz family has installed security cameras and is now more vigilant about locking their doors. As for Onisei, he remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court in December.

This incident not only highlights the bravery of one young man but also raises awareness about home security and community safety. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to authorities.