Pickpocket dealt instant karma after striking in front of martial arts champion

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 railway 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, Skoko won gold in the men’s ultra-heavy category at the British Open earlier this year.He says he leapt into action 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 realized 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.'”Skoko 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, Skoko put his phone on the ground and started filming.Skoko 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.Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.

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Never miss a story.Vigilante Skoko 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 vandalize property.He decided to start fighting back after having his bike stolen ...