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Suspect in Italy Subdued with Jiu-Jitsu Takedown After Punching Police Vehicle
Dramatic video footage has emerged showing the moment a robbery suspect was swiftly apprehended by Italian State Police using a jiu-jitsu leg sweep. The suspect, reportedly under suspicion for robbery and allegedly armed, was taken down after punching a police car window in Brescia, northern Italy. The incident, captured on surveillance cameras, has ignited debate online regarding the officer’s response.
Confrontation and Arrest
According to local news outlets, the incident unfolded when state police officers in Brescia encountered the suspect. Believing him to be armed and connected to a recent robbery involving a knife threat, officers instructed him to stop as he walked away.
Video evidence shows the suspect walking down a street when a police vehicle pulled alongside him. As the passenger door opened, the suspect reacted aggressively, striking the vehicle window. In response, the officer exited the car and approached the individual.
Employing a decisive maneuver, the officer executed a leg sweep, causing the suspect to fall to the ground. The officer then proceeded to arrest him at the scene.
Video Emerges Online
While the arrest occurred in March, the surveillance footage only recently began circulating widely online this week. The video clip has become a subject of considerable discussion and has been viewed extensively across social media platforms.
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Police authorities have acknowledged the incident depicted in the video. However, they confirmed that no weapon was discovered on the suspect after he was detained.
Debate Over Police Action
The footage has sparked varied reactions, particularly among Italian commentators. Discussions are centered on whether the officer’s rapid response and takedown were justified and praiseworthy, or if the force used was disproportionate under the circumstances.
Investigation Launched
The Brescia Police Headquarters has confirmed the commencement of an internal investigation into the officer’s conduct during the arrest.
Furthermore, authorities are investigating the unauthorized release of the CCTV footage online. There are concerns that the video may have been recorded directly from the police operations room, as reported by Brescia Today.
Initial observations suggest the video was likely filmed from another screen displaying the original footage.
Social media accounts, including the Instagram page “Welcome to Favelas,” were among the first to share the clip, contributing to its rapid spread and virality over the past weekend.
Suspect’s Dramatic Fall
The video clearly illustrates the suspect’s dramatic fall after the officer’s leg sweep. The swift and effective takedown caused the suspect to lose his balance and collapse onto the cobblestone pavement.
Immediately after the suspect hit the ground, the officer moved quickly to restrain him. The video shows the officer gaining control by positioning a knee on the suspect’s shoulder and neck area while the second officer from the driver’s side assisted in handcuffing the suspect.
According to a police spokesperson, the suspect was considered a potential threat due to initial reports indicating he might be armed.
Social Media Reactions
Despite being recorded in March, the video gained significant traction on social media platforms around April 19th. One post on social media platform X amassed over half a million views.
Online users expressed diverse opinions. One user commented positively on the officer’s technique, noting the takedown appeared controlled enough to prevent serious injury, stating, “That was a very impressive takedown. I think he even caught the perp midair, so he didn’t slam his head.”
Another user humorously remarked on the officer’s agility, adding, “He flipped that dude like he was tossing pizza dough. Mama Mia!”
Similar Incident: Jiu-Jitsu Used in UK Robbery Attempt
Interestingly, a separate incident earlier this year highlighted the effectiveness of jiu-jitsu in civilian situations. In Telford, Shropshire, a woman in Staffordshire received a Police Chief Superintendent Commendation Award from West Mercia Police for using jiu-jitsu techniques to confront an armed robber in a store.
Citizen Heroics in Telford
Mairi Kerin, 42, a martial arts enthusiast with expertise in Wadokai karate, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and boxing, intervened during a robbery attempt at LOCO Convenience Store in March 2023. She was buying chocolates when a masked individual entered and began threatening staff.
Without hesitation, Ms. Kerin, displaying remarkable composure, reacted swiftly.
She grabbed the would-be robber’s arm and delivered several kicks to his shins, causing him to flee the store.
CCTV footage captured Ms. Kerin pursuing the criminal from the shop before he escaped down the street.
Modest Heroine
Ms. Kerin received commendation for her bravery on March 3, 2023.
However, Ms. Kerin downplayed her actions, emphasizing that she acted instinctively based on her martial arts and self-defense training, rather than through conscious bravery.
She recounted hearing the man threaten the shopkeeper, saying, “I’m going to take your money,” which prompted her intervention.
Ms. Kerin also mentioned her initial, albeit fleeting, misjudgment of the situation. “I remember telling myself you can’t think that about people, can’t pigeonhole people like that. I thought that maybe he’s just got a bike somewhere, he’s been out riding or whatever.”
However, when the man blocked the door and threatened robbery, she took decisive action, using her training to defend the shopkeeper.