"Got You!" Spanish Pickpocket Overpowered by Tourist... 'Chokehold Video' Goes Viral

Tried to Steal a Camera, Ended Up Subdued by a Tourist
Barcelona, Infamous for Pickpocketing Tourists

A tourist in Barcelona, Spain, was caught subduing a pickpocket. On May 1 (local time), the British Daily Mail reported that a tourist of East Asian descent, who was nearly robbed of their camera, subdued a Spanish pickpocket like a martial arts master in a video that is currently trending online. Previously, on online communities and social networking services (SNS), a video appeared to show an East Asian man wearing glasses using a chokehold technique on a Western man pinned to the ground. The pickpocket, gasping for air as he was choked, tried to resist but was unable to escape the man's hold.

A tourist in Barcelona, Spain, was caught subduing a pickpocket. On the 1st, the British Daily Mail reported that a Chinese tourist, who was almost robbed of their camera, subdued the Spanish pickpocket like a martial arts master in a video that is currently trending online. X (formerly Twitter)

It is reported that the pickpocket tried to steal the camera of a Chinese photographer but ended up being subdued by him instead. In the end, the pickpocket was held in a chokehold until the police arrived, and it is said that citizens applauded the scene. The pickpocket was only able to escape from the man's hold after the police arrived. Citizens who witnessed the incident cheered, clapping and shouting "Bravo." The video has recorded nearly 10 million views on X (formerly Twitter).

Viewers of the video commented, "European thieves are relentless, so he deserved it," "It was perfect teamwork between the police and the Chinese photographer," "He'll never steal again," and "The thief looked relieved after being handed over to the police." However, one commenter warned, "A Russian tourist once broke the arm of a pickpocket and was ordered by a Spanish court to pay the thief 7,000 euros in compensation," urging caution.

Meanwhile, Barcelona is notorious for pickpocketing targeting tourists. According to the Barcelona police, 48.1% of crimes committed in Barcelona in 2023 were pickpocketing. In response, local police are advising tourists not to withdraw cash at night or early in the morning and to avoid wearing expensive wristwatches.