DRAMATIC footage shows a car thief gets his comeuppance after trying to steal a £35,000 pickup – from a boxer.
Steve Greenfield, who works as a builder as well as being a keen amateur boxer, is seen punching the living daylights out of the hapless crook after catching him at the wheel.
The battered thief only escaped even worse injury by producing a knuckleduster, at which point Steve, 26, backed off.
The unorthodox boxing bout happened outside Steve’s home in Gravesend, Kent, after he spotted the attempted theft of his brand new Ford Ranger Wildtrak on CCTV.
Steve’s pal Michael Smith, 44, shared the footage of the January 8 scrap on a Facebook group about vehicle theft, writing: “At least one got what was coming to him.”
The footage shows the man, wearing a cap and a large bag over his shoulder, approach the car and get in the driver side door.
After 15 seconds of trying to start the vehicle, Steve comes storming out to confront him.
The builder opens the car door and starts to rain punches down on the burglar.
Raised voices can be heard, and after at least five punches the crook manages to knock Steve back by kicking out.
But he bounces straight back to get his hands on him again with another struggle ensuing and fists flying again.
Filming the footage from a computer, Steve and can be heard discussing what happened with his brother Pete.
Pete says: “He kicked you out the way”, and Steve replies: “I catch him on the chin, look. Yeah, I’ve got him one.”
His assailant can then be seen managing to get free from Steve’s clutches and scarpering out of shot.
But he makes after him and a second video shows what happens after the pair move out of shot.
After a lengthy struggle on the ground, the criminal manages to get up but Steve is determined not to let him get away and keeps hold of him.
A swing of a punch from the man manages to break him free and a cat and mouse chase ensues.
He manages to get near to a close and after aiming another fist at his pursuer he makes off down it with Steve and a neighbour in pursuit.
Members of the group were full of praise for Steve’s actions in protecting his car.
One social media user said: “They won’t be coming back if they know what’s good for them, cheeky b******s. Good on you.”
Another said: “Good on you hopefully is hurting today and hopefully will never come back if he knows what’s good for him he will not even look at you if he sees you.”
Another said: “Quality well done mate.”
“Have it you scummer”, added another.
Speaking today (TUES), Michael said: “It’s about time one got caught in the act. Steve is a boxer and in his first fight knocked the guy out, so he definitely picked the wrong house.
“He’s only had the car a few months. The guy pulled a weapon, a knuckle duster, and got away.”
Steve said: “It was around 2am. I put some trousers on and went down stairs to take a look and as I opened the front door I saw somebody in there. Without even thinking I ran out to get him out of the vehicle resulting to me being kicked into the other car.
“I was just trying to wake people up with shouting and held on to the guy doing whatever I could to keep him there and I got flipped onto my back which was fine as I still was holding him.”
He continued: “It wasn’t until I saw him reaching to his pocket I thought ‘this isn’t good what if it’s a knife’ so I stayed aware but still not wanting to let go. I saw it was a knuckle duster so I held on until he tried to hit me with it. He caught my thumb in the process as I moved after this I didn’t get too close
“He threw a wild swing as he passed me and at this point my neighbour came running down to help but we wasn’t able to catch the man.”
Police today confirmed that they were called out but have so far been unable to trace the car thief.
A spokesman said: “Kent Police received a report of a disturbance at 2.26am on Monday 8 January in Milton Hall Road, Gravesend.
“A man is reported to have attempted to steal a vehicle. He was stopped by a witness and fled the area.
“Officers attended and carried out a search, however the suspect was not located. Enquiries into the incident remain ongoing.”
