Watch: Cyclist fights off gang of robbers trying to steal his e-bike
Footage shows the moment a cyclist fought off a gang of motorcyclists – one of them wielding a hammer – who attempted to steal his £5,000 e-bike.
Video filmed by cyclist Rafal Kalinowski, 59, shows how the would-be thieves pushed him over as he rode along Bromford Lane in West Bromwich.
The footage, which was filmed on August 7, emerged as four men were arrested in relation to the incident and five others.
The clip, which has been viewed more than 41,000 times on TikTok, shows how the Polish national who has lived in Britain for 10 years was stopped by two balaclava-clad individuals seated on a vehicle at the front of the pack by blocking his path.
The cyclist was then seen being pushed to the pavement in an attempt to rob him of his e-bike.
Yet the footage then showed the cyclist spraying a red liquid at the suspects – which he confirmed in comments on the social media site was a “criminal identifier self-defence” spray.
Similar sprays online promise to cover the faces, bodies and clothes of assailants to allow victims of crime time to get away.
The substance will also dye the clothes and skin of suspects for several days, to make it easier for police officers to identify them.
‘Threatened at knife-point’
The individuals were seen fleeing from the scene, apparently giving up on stealing the bike.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Mr Kalinowski said he used the bike to make the 11-mile round trip to the warehouse where he works.
“When I saw three motorbikes, riders with covered faces and no registration plates, I knew it was probably not good news,” he said.
“I had bought the spray three years ago and had almost forgotten that I had it - but I just used it when I fell to the ground.
“I started swearing in Polish and I think that probably took them by surprise and startled them to be honest.”
The father-of-two said that while he was keen to get justice, the incident had not deterred him from using his bike.
Four arrests linked to the incident and five others have been made since Aug 7 in relation to a spate of alleged crimes in Sandwell.
On the same day as the attempted e-bike theft, the individuals are accused of robbing another man, in his 30s, while riding along Dewberry Drive.
The group also allegedly tried to steal a moped from Bromford Lane and eventually stole a motorbike from Burnt Tree in Tipton.
The next day, a man, who was also in his 30s, was allegedly threatened at knife-point by the individuals, who took his phone and e-bike on the West Bromwich Ringway.
It was only after reports emerged of four men packing a bike into a taxi in the Wednesbury area that police finally arrested the suspects.
On Friday, a spokesman from West Midlands Police said: “Last night, officers were patrolling the Wednesbury area when they received reports of four men loading a bike into a taxi.
“We quickly responded and arrested the four occupants and recovered the bike which is believed to be stolen.
“Two 20-year-old men, an 18-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy from Sandwell have been arrested in connection with the recent incidents and remain in custody for questioning.”
