Jiu jitsu gold medalist Ivan Skoko tackles ‘pickpocket’ at London practice station

A suspected pickpocket was dealt some on the spot 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 need to stab you, bro” as he lies on the ground, underneath the professional fighter’s knee.

Initially from Croatia, Skoko gained gold within the males’s ultra-heavy class on the British Open earlier this yr.

He says he leapt into motion after listening to a “very loud scream” from a fellow passenger on the Northern line.

He stated: “I used to be considering somebody acquired stabbed or one thing occurred.

“I spotted in a split-second there was a theft, as a girl was holding her cellphone actually tightly.

“I see these robberies day by day outdoors the health club the place I work and I do know in the event you don’t react fast, these guys will get away.

“I requested her very loudly and clearly ‘who was it?’ and he or she 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 stated, ‘Don’t transfer.’”

Skoko says the person tried to achieve 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 cellphone on the bottom and began filming.

Skoko says two telephones had been discovered within the man’s pocket – one in all which had a ‘Hiya Kitty’ case – alongside the hammer.

Police had been known as and the alleged thief was positioned underneath arrest on the station.

Vigilante Skoko estimates he’s fought criminals not less than 10 occasions – together with one incident the place masked thugs got here to the health club the place he works and tried to vandalize property.

He determined to start out preventing again after having his bike stolen off his individual 5 years in the past.

Skoko stated: “I known as the police and so they stated ‘sadly you’ll by no means see your bike once more’.

“I requested them: ‘Why am I calling you then? What’s the level of calling you in the event you can’t deal with the crime?’

“They stated: ‘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 known as the police. Then I realised I’d have to coach actually exhausting and get critical about coaching.

“Each 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 handle ourselves.

“In the event you depart your self to the police’s fingers, you’ll be damage, you’ll be stabbed, you’ll be robbed, you’ll be raped, you’ll be killed ultimately.

“That’s not what I’m going to be – I’m going to defend myself. I’m not scared.”

British Transport Police stated: “Officers had been known as to Borough Underground station at round 7:30pm on October 28 following stories 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.