A Deliveroo rider pursued a thief who snatched a Brazilian tourist's phone in central London, later condemning the act as "heartless scumbag behavior."
Milo Sterlini was on a delivery shift around 8 p.m. on November 1 in Borough when he witnessed the theft. Video footage shared on his YouTube channel, London Eats, shows the woman in her 20s running after the thief, crying out "no, no, no, please."
Sterlini pursued the thief on his motorbike, shouting for him to drop the phone. The thief reportedly responded, "nah bro I've gotta make money."
Fearing the thief might be armed, Sterlini stopped the pursuit and contacted the police. He then comforted the distressed tourist, who was in tears and stated she had nothing left.
In a message to his YouTube subscribers, Sterlini called for the thief to be brought to justice. "I'm hoping he does get caught because it's the lowest of the low crime," he said. "Put gender aside it is just the lowest of the low crime and to do it to a tourist that has never been here before, someone that is vulnerable, it is so bad."
He added, "I hope scumbags like that do get the full force of the law thrown at them. That is scumbag behaviour right there."
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they were called on November 1 following a report of a phone theft on Little Dorrit Court, Southwark. An investigation was conducted, including speaking with witnesses and gathering footage, but no suspect was identified. The case has since been closed.
Sterlini noted that there is no excuse for street theft, suggesting that individuals should earn money honestly through work, like food delivery, rather than resorting to stealing phones. He highlighted the tourist's distress, particularly as she was due to fly back to Brazil the next day and this incident was potentially her first impression of London.
Viewers praised Sterlini's actions, with many commending his pursuit of the thief and his sensible decision not to escalate the situation further due to safety concerns. They also lauded his support for the victim.
It remains unclear if the thief was apprehended, though Sterlini mentioned the man was seen running into a property. The police urged anyone with information to contact them by quoting CAD 6505/1Nov.