A suspected pickpocket who targeted a tube commuter came unstuck – when he struck in front of a champion martial artist.
Ivan Skoko, 29, used his expertise in Brazilian jiu-jitsu to wrestle the man to the ground at busy Borough Station, South London, on Tuesday.
The 6ft3 black belt says the suspect was waiting on the platform for a victim before grabbing at a young woman’s device as she boarded a tube carriage at around 7pm.
But quick thinking Ivan seized the man, in his 20s, by his hoodie, threw him to the ground and placed him in an arm lock within seconds.
Ivan told the Daily Mail: ‘I heard a very loud scream, everyone turned around and my first thought was “what can I do to help”.
‘The woman had just boarded the train. The doors were about to close and the thief reached inside and began pulling her phone away.
‘She held on very tight and shouted “he is trying to rob me”. I grabbed him and took him down with a foot sweep. I didn’t even hesitate.
‘I held him on the ground and asked some people to get the train staff, which they did.
Ivan Skoko (pictured), 29, used his expertise in Brazilian jiu-jitsu to wrestle the man to the ground at busy Borough Station, South London, on Tuesday
Quick thinking Ivan seized the man, in his 20s, by his hoodie, threw him to the ground and placed him in an arm lock within seconds
Footage shows the 15 stone fighter restraining the suspected thief before he was arrested by a police officer by the stairs of the platform
‘I warned him, don’t reach for your weapon. I’m a professional and you will get hurt. He decided not to resist.’
Footage shows the 15 stone fighter restraining the suspected thief before he was arrested by a police officer by the stairs of the platform.
A rusty claw hammer was discovered in his waistband along with two smart phones.
Croatian-born Ivan, who lives in South London, was on his way to teach a self defence class at around 7pm when he sprang into action.
He said: ‘I could feel something in his pocket, I assumed it was a blade, so I kept him arm very close.
‘Luckily the woman got to hold on to her phone. She left the scene on the train.
‘Theft is a big problem today. I see robberies every single day and I am so angry people aren’t taking any action.
‘I gave my details to the cops. Hopefully the guy gets convicted. I’m looking forward to seeing the CCTV of what happened.’
A hammer can be seen in the thief’s back pocket as he is apprehended by police officers in the station
The rusty claw hammer was discovered in his waistband along with two smart phones
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Ivan, who runs Brazilian jiu-jitsu classes at Fight City Gym in Elephant and Castle, South London, says he is now looking to speak with the victim.
He added: ‘I deal with black belts in fights that I’ve ended in under two minutes. So people who don’t train I can take them in seconds.
‘I fight every day for three to four hours so tackling someone with probably no background was easy money. A little warm-up.
‘I reacted to help a vulnerable person, it was a woman in this situation. I would do it for anyone in need of help.
‘I’ve dealt with bullies before but this is the first time I’ve stopped a thief.
‘I felt it was my duty to the community. I knew what to do, it was all legal and I am first aid trained too.’
This year alone Ivan has won the British Open 2025, NAGA London II 2025 and IBJJF London Fall Open 2025 in black belt adult division.
It comes after the latest Office for National Statistics figures showed almost 81,000 robberies were recorded in England and Wales in the 12 months until June.
And in London, 33,752 cases were reported. The startling figure is slightly down on 35,169 last year, figures show.
Earlier this month the Metropolitan Police announced it had broken up a major criminal network suspected of smuggling 40,000 stolen phones from the UK to China.
A British Transport Police spokesman said: ‘Officers were called to Borough Underground station at around 7.30pm yesterday (28 October) 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.’
