Ivan Skoko leapt in to action at after hearing a ‘very loud scream’ from a fellow passenger
Jiu-jitsu champion restrains suspected ‘pickpocket’
This is the moment a suspected pickpocket was dealt some instant karma – after he ‘struck’ in front of a black belt martial artist. Ivan Skoko, 29, tackled the alleged thief using his Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills at Borough Tube station last month.
Video taken in the aftermath shows the man saying, ‘I don’t want to stab you, bro’ as he lies on the floor, under the pro fighter’s knee. Originally from Croatia, Ivan won gold in the men’s ultra-heavy category at the British open earlier this year.
He says he leapt in to action at after hearing a ‘very loud scream’ from a fellow passenger on the Northern Line. He said: “I was thinking someone got stabbed or something happened.
“I realised in a split-second there was a robbery, as a lady was holding her phone really tightly. I see these robberies every day outside the gym where I work and I know if you don’t react quick, these guys will get away.
“I asked her very loudly and clearly ‘who was it?’ and she pointed to the guy on the platform. I opened the doors, jumped off the train, and in five seconds I took the guy down and said ‘do not move’.”
Ivan says the man tried to reach for a hammer in his pocket, but he used a Judo move – a foot sweep – to take him down. After restraining him, Ivan put his phone on the ground and started filming. Ivan says two phones were found in the man’s pocket – one of which had a ‘Hello Kitty’ case – alongside the hammer. Police were called and the alleged thief was placed under arrest at the station.
Vigilante Ivan estimates he’s fought criminals at least 10 times – including one incident where masked thugs came to the gym where he works and attempted to vandalise property. He decided to start fighting back after having his bike stolen off his person five years ago.
Ivan said: “I called the police and they said ‘unfortunately you’ll never see your bike again’. I asked them, ‘why am I calling you then? What is the point of calling you if you can’t tackle the crime?’
“They said: ‘sir, we don’t have enough resources’. With all the money we pay for tax, they don’t have resources. It was the first and the last time I called the police. Then I realised I’d have to train really hard and get serious about training.
“Every single guy who tries to rob me will be tackled, will be disarmed, and will be delivered to the police. We need to take care of ourselves.
“If you leave yourself to the police’s hands, you’ll be hurt, you’ll be stabbed, you’ll be robbed, you’ll be raped, you’ll be killed in the end. That’s not what I’m going to be – I’m going to defend myself. I’m not scared.”
British Transport Police said: “Officers were called to Borough Underground station at around 7.30pm on October 28 following reports of an attempted theft.
“Officers attended and a man was arrested on suspicion of theft, possession of an offensive weapon, and handling stolen goods.
“Enquiries are ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 661 of 28 October.”
