A man used jiu-jitsu to take down another man trying to steal someone else’s moped. It happened at Safeway Kapahulu yesterday evening.

While the theft of one moped was thwarted, there was another victim. Bystanders said they watched the men steal someone else’s moped a few minutes before.

A man used one of his jiu-jitsu moves to take down a man attempting to steal someone else’s moped.

The incident happened at Safeway Kapahulu around 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Thang Nguyen said he was at the right place at the right time.

He was exiting the store when he noticed two men near a moped.

“We didn’t realize it at the time but I guess they had already stolen one moped already and people were yelling, ‘Hey, Stop,” Nguyen explained.

He said one of the men was breaking the ignition while the other was trying to kick start it. Once they were able to start the moped, Nguyen said he left his shopping cart behind and tackled one of them.

“I grabbed the guy in the back seat, he tried to swing at me with a skateboard, so I ducked under and took his back and grabbed his wrist for control and tripped him,” he explained.

“We learn Jiu-Jitsu to defend ourselves, not to hurt anybody, so basically we kind of detained him until the cops came,” he said.

While the suspect was on the ground, Chris Brock walked outside, saw the commotion, and noticed his moped was gone.

“I wish I was there a little earlier, I probably would have stopped both of them,” Nguyen said.

Brock filed a police report and is asking people to be on the lookout for his blue Metro moped.

I asked Brock what he would say to the people who stole his only means of transportation.

“I would tell them that I personally can’t afford to buy a new moped, I need that thing to be able to work and survive and them taking it away was just damaging to my life and nothing more,” Brock said.

KHON2 asked Nguyen why he felt the need to step in.

“Some people they just watch and I feel so bad because if I can at least do something I’m going to try,” he said. “If I didn’t succeed and he got away, at least I tried but I was right there.”

“Some people save their whole month salary just to buy that moped and some kids just stole it for a joy ride, so I’m glad I was able to stop that one,” Nguyen said.

HPD has yet to confirm if the man was arrested and charged for stealing Brock’s moped and attempting to steal the other moped.