Emeril Lagasse replaces pan woman used to defend herself

ELYRIA, Ohio (AP) — Chef Emeril Lagasse says he felt so bad when he heard a woman lost one of his trademark pans warding off home intruders that he’s replacing the item.

Lagasse is sending a set of his signature cookware to Ellen Basinski, who fought off the young attackers at her home in Elyria west of Cleveland on Tuesday.

Lagasse says he feels terrible for Basinksi because of the attack and because she lost the pan.

Basinski was on the phone with her husband when four boys pushed their way into her home.

Her husband, Lorain County Judge David Basinski, overheard the scuffle and raced home while his wife grabbed her favorite pan to defend herself.

The judge says his wife is upset that police took the pan as evidence.