A suspected pickpocket was dealt some instantaneous karma after he ‘struck’ in entrance of a black belt martial artist.
Ivan Skoko, 29, tackled the alleged thief utilizing his Brazilian jiu-jitsu expertise at Borough railway station final month.
Video taken within the aftermath exhibits the person saying, “I don’t wish to stab you, bro” as he lies on the ground, beneath the professional fighter’s knee.
Originally from Croatia, Skoko gained gold within the males’s ultra-heavy class on the British Open earlier this 12 months.
He says he leapt into motion after listening to a “very loud scream” from a fellow passenger on the Northern line.
He mentioned: “I used to be considering somebody acquired stabbed or one thing occurred.
“I noticed in a split-second there was a theft, as a girl was holding her telephone actually tightly.
“I see these robberies each day exterior the fitness center the place I work and I do know should you don’t react fast, these guys will get away.
“I requested her very loudly and clearly ‘who was it?’ and she or he pointed to the man on the platform.
“I opened the doorways, jumped off the practice, and in 5 seconds I took the man down and mentioned, ‘Do not transfer.’”
Skoko says the person tried to succeed in for a hammer in his pocket, however he used a Judo transfer – a foot sweep – to take him down.
After restraining him, Skoko put his telephone on the bottom and began filming.
Skoko says two telephones had been discovered within the man’s pocket – certainly one of which had a ‘Hello Kitty’ case – alongside the hammer.
Police had been referred to as and the alleged thief was positioned beneath arrest on the station.
Vigilante Skoko estimates he’s fought criminals at the least 10 instances – together with one incident the place masked thugs got here to the fitness center the place he works and tried to vandalize property.
He determined to begin combating again after having his bike stolen off his particular person 5 years in the past.
Skoko mentioned: “I referred to as the police and so they mentioned ‘sadly you’ll by no means see your bike once more’.
“I requested them: ‘Why am I calling you then? What is the purpose of calling you should you can’t sort out the crime?’
“They mentioned: ‘Sir, we don’t have sufficient sources’. With all the cash we pay for tax, they don’t have sources.
“It was the primary and the final time I referred to as the police. Then I realised I’d have to coach actually onerous and get severe about coaching.
“Every single man who tries to rob me will likely be tackled, will likely be disarmed, and will likely be delivered to the police.
“We have to care for ourselves.
“If you allow your self to the police’s arms, you’ll be damage, you’ll be stabbed, you’ll be robbed, you’ll be raped, you’ll be killed in the long run.
“That’s not what I’m going to be – I’m going to defend myself. I’m not scared.”
British Transport Police mentioned: “Officers had been referred to as to Borough Underground station at round 7:30pm on October 28 following studies of an tried theft.
“Officers attended and a person was arrested on suspicion of theft, possession of an offensive weapon, and dealing with stolen items.
