Auto theft ring that targeted Pettis smashed by martial arts trained grannies

In October former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis had multiple cars in his driveway torched with an accelerant. He installed security cameras, and they caught two suspects stealing from the cars.

Now three members of a car theft ring believed involved in the theft called “Cut Throat Mob” or “CT Mob” are in custody. They were arrested thanks to two intended victims who fought back.

It wasn’t Anthony and Sergio that used self-defense tactics, it was Miriam Ben-Shalom, 68, and her life partner Karen Weiss. Ben-Shalom is a fighter. A former member of the Israeli army and a former Staff Sergeant in the United States Army, Ben-Shalom is best known for battling the military over the right of gays and lesbians to serve their country.

She was discharged from the military for homosexuality in 1976, and fought back. After successfully challenging her discharge in court, she returned to military service in 1987. This was the first time an openly gay or lesbian member of the armed services was reinstated after being discharged under the homosexual exclusionary policy. In 1990 the Army was finally successful in terminating her service.

However, the fight with members of the Cut Throat Mob took place not in court, but on the street, the intersection of Mason and Milwaukee Street to be specific. It happened when Ben-Shalom pulled up to the Hotel Metro in downtown Milwaukee. As she exited her vehicle to get Weiss’s walker out of the back, one of the suspects jumped into the driver’s seat.

“The valet opened the door,” she said to FOX 6. “I opened the back trunk to get her walker out, and you hear ‘vroom, vroom.'”

“I go around and here, the kid is trying to pull him away from the car and they were fighting and I realize, ‘this is a carjacking’ and I went and tackled the kid and put a hold on him.”

I stood up and put the toe of my boot in a socially significant place. I told him if he tried to move or do anything, he would walk very funny for the rest of his life and pee through a tube. I have to tell you, I meant every word.”

“I took some taekwondo, some karate. I was also taught legal holds and restraints.”

Weiss, trained in self-defense at the Citizens Academy, also aided the effort.

“I took my cane and moved hoodie back so I could try get a look at him,” said Weiss.

Suddenly a Jeep pulled up, allegedly driven by suspects Jesus Lazaro and Giovanni Zurfluh. Ben-Shalom reports that one teen pointed a black semiautomatic at her, and said, Let him go, b****, or I’ll shoot you.”

So I realize it’s probably a real gun, and I’m looking at this kid as I put my hands up and back away, said Ben-Shalom to The Daily Beast. “They got into the Jeep Cherokee and drove away.”

However, they did not get away for good.

“It was a white license plate with light green numbers,” recalled Ben-Shalom. “And it was a black Jeep Cherokee.”

Ben-Shalom and Weiss continued on to their dinner date at the hotel, and were interviewed by Milwaukee police as they shared cocktails and oysters.

The former drill sergeant posted a message for the carjackers the next day on her social network.

Big brave f***ers, to try to jack a car from a disabled person,” she wrote on Facebook. “Lesson: don’t jack cars and do not mess with old lady veterans.

A month later Ben-Shalom and Weiss were able to identify the suspects in a police lineup. Jesus Lazaro, Giovanni Zurfluh, and Junior Moreno were taken into custody and face a combined 31 charges.

“I’m very glad we were able to help out and get these punks off the street,” said Ben-Shalom. “Two old ladies, nice car — easy mark. Guess again!”

Jesus Lazaro (17), Giovanni Zurfluh (18), Junior Moreno (17)

Karen Weiss, Miriam Ben-Shalom

Miriam Ben-Shalom, hero