November 23, 2016
UPDATE: Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof took to Twitter to complain about the legal summons he received after fighting off an intruder in a Philadelphia hotel room.
Kristof originally detailed what happened to him on social media and in a brief blog post for the Times on Nov. 12, explaining that he apprehended an alleged burglar he found rummaging through his wife's purse in his room at the Franklin Hotel.
On Wednesday, Kristof posted an update on Twitter, saying he received a court order with "no explanation" and a phone number that "doesn't work."
The follow-up: Now I get a DA/court order to return to Philadelphia to testify, no explanation, and a phone number that doesn't work. Sigh. https://t.co/LP0XYNrmp2
— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) November 23, 2016
After being prompted to contact Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams on Twitter, Williams tweeted Kristof a referral to his office's phone number.
Kristof did add that he was willing to come back to Philadelphia if it was critical for the case.
@ckrewson @DASethWilliams Thanks! The number on the summons has a voicemail that is full. Happy to come if critical to case, but skeptical.
— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) November 23, 2016
You can read the original story below:
Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof has some words of wisdom for his readers – always lock your hotel room door.
Take it from him. Kristof says he fought and apprehended an intruder early Saturday morning while staying at the Franklin Hotel at Independence Park at 4th and Chestnut streets until police arrived.
Kristof took to Facebook and Twitter afterward to document the incident and later published a short blog post on the New York Times' website.
He said that he was in the Philadelphia hotel with his wife Sheryl WuDunn, also a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, for a meeting of the American Philosophical Society.
As he stepped downstairs to grab a coffee, he left the door ajar so he wouldn't wake his sleeping wife. Another man waited with Kristof at the elevator but didn't get in.
Upon returning, Kristof said he found the intruder standing inside his hotel room with WuDunn's purse in hand. Kristof blocked him from leaving and asked questions when the man allegedly said, "I'll stab you with a knife if you keep coming."
The confrontation ended with Kristof chasing the intruder through the hotel, eventually jumping on him until police showed up.
Big excitement. I interrupted an intruder in my hotel room in Philadelphia. A chase. A fight. Restrained him. Police have just arrived.
— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) November 12, 2016
The intruder in our hotel room was just a thief. Thanks to Franklin Hotel for helping. He has been arrested. I'm not really hurt.
— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) November 12, 2016
Gave police a statement, and thief is jailed. I have a wrenched thumb from the fight but otherwise ok. Fortunately, he was a wimpish thief. https://t.co/HEvKmJdzUG
— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) November 12, 2016
Police did not respond to an immediate request for comment confirming the incident, but Philly.com reported that a 58-year-old man was taken into custody.
