It was just an ordinary lunch break in central London—until it wasn’t. Alex, a Kiwi expat living in the city, was strolling near Ludgate Hill when he spotted something that didn’t sit right.
What unfolded next was a moment of real-life heroism, caught on CCTV, that has since gone viral.
A Gut Feeling That Something Was Off
Alex had a hunch. He noticed a cyclist behaving oddly—slowly turning, circling the block like he was scoping something out. “He just looked… off,” Alex later recalled.
Within moments, that suspicion turned into confirmation as he watched the man swipe at a pedestrian’s phone.
That man was Spencer Duarte, 28, from Saffron Walden.
He’s now facing jail time after pleading guilty to theft in Inner London Crown Court, with sentencing set for September 12.
A Split-Second Decision to Act
For Alex, standing by wasn’t an option. Without hesitation, he launched himself at Duarte, shoulder-barging him off his e-bike in the middle of the street.
The impact knocked both of them down.
“It all happened so fast,” Alex said. “The side of my face hit the ground hard, but I got back up.”
Duarte tried to flee, but Alex grabbed his bag and kept chasing.
When the bag ripped, Alex tossed it aside and continued the pursuit, determined not to let him get away.
A Wild Chase Through Central London
The dramatic scene unfolded in broad daylight.
After being knocked down once, Duarte jumped back on his bike—only to be tackled again by Alex and the victim a short distance away.
Dressed in a fluorescent top and helmet, Duarte eventually ditched the bike and ran.
Other pedestrians joined in, trying to grab him as he darted across the road.
Despite the chaos, Duarte managed to escape—temporarily.
DNA on a Lost Shoe Solves the Case
In what might be the most ironic twist of all, Duarte lost one of his shoes during the scuffle. And that shoe held the key.
Police later confirmed that DNA taken from the trainer matched Duarte’s profile in the national database.
Andrew Walker from City of London Police described it best: “The slipper fitted our Cinderella, and we were able to bring him before the courts.”
Back to Lunch Like Nothing Happened
After giving a statement to police, Alex did what any London office worker would—he went back to the café, finished lunch, and returned to work.
“My colleagues were amazed,” he said. “But that was the end of it really.”
Alex also spoke with the shaken victim, who was incredibly grateful.
“She thanked me over and over,” he shared.
A Call for Public Courage—But With Caution
While Alex doesn’t see himself as a hero, he believes everyday people can make a difference.
“If you see a crime happening and you can stop it safely, you should,” he said.
That said, he was careful to note the risks: “You’ve got to judge the situation.
I felt safe. I made a quick cost-benefit decision.”
And for those who can’t physically intervene? “Film it, report it—everyone can do a bit more.”
London’s Growing Phone Theft Epidemic
Alex’s story comes as London faces a record surge in phone thefts.
Police say 37 phones are stolen daily in the West End alone, and over 231,000 incidents have been reported in the past four years.
The epicenter? Areas like Piccadilly, Haymarket, and St James’s, packed with tourists and luxury shops.
In 2023 alone, the city saw over 81,000 phone thefts, with police warning that the real number is likely much higher.
Phones Are Fueling Organised Crime
The stolen phones don’t stay local. Up to 75% are shipped overseas, mainly to Algeria and China, according to police testimony in Parliament.
That black market demand is driving not just theft—but also robbery and knife crime.
DCS James Conway from the Met explained that last year, the stolen phones carried a street value of £20 million, with the replacement cost to victims and insurers climbing to £50 million.
One Man’s Split-Second Courage Sparks Conversation
As the sentencing for Spencer Duarte nears, Alex sees his part in the story as “bittersweet.”
He acknowledges the enormous challenge police face in tackling the crime wave—but also believes that everyday citizens can play a role, safely and sensibly.
“It’s not always easy,” he said, “but sometimes the moment just calls for action.”