Events

GoPro captures gunpoint mountain bike robbery in Somerset West

By BikeHubCoreAdmin · 271 comments

Malcolm Fox was bikejacked at gunpoint during a ride in Somerset West on Saturday, 31 May 2014. Unbeknownst to the thieves the events were all captured on his GoPro and the footage used as evidence against them.

From Malcolm Fox’s YouTube video:

MTB ride on Saturday 31st May 2014 from Ongegund, last few km’s before end of session. Armed gunman and 2 others stopped myself and took cellphone, car keys, oakleys and bike.

Fortunately they did not have a clue what a GOPRO was and this is the evidence that will assist in their prosecution!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECs8ZrmH8D8

Comments

Christopher Brunsdon

Jun 4, 2014, 9:59 AM

This should be an educational video to show what to do in a robbery. Stay calm, don't resist and cooperate.

 

Heros belong in comic books, not on the trails.

Eldron

Jun 4, 2014, 10:00 AM

Phew - that made my blood boil.

 

Good on Malcolm for staying calm. It burns my arse to say this but a bike aint worth your life.

 

Get insurance - that way you get a clean shiny bike as a reward for a traumatic experience.

Christopher Brunsdon

Jun 4, 2014, 10:00 AM

That is IF they are aware of thsi?

 

My take would be (1) to use an old MTB specific phone...seems this might not be possible?

(2) superglue the SIM card in place!! (for that matter also the battery?)

(3) just hand over said phone if confronted...

 

optional (4) get a posse together and lynch the muddaF.

 

Do not underestimate the knowledge of those stealing phones.

Wasbeer

Jun 4, 2014, 10:01 AM

Got this on youtube.

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ECs8ZrmH8D8

Cassie

Jun 4, 2014, 10:02 AM

Do not underestimate the knowledge of those stealing phones.

 

This Phucker was pretty stooopid?

GrantRH

Jun 4, 2014, 10:03 AM

I wonder if Nick would have paid out under those circumstances?!

Wil6

Jun 4, 2014, 10:04 AM

Bastards! I'm keeping thinking to myself if the tik kop would have shot the guy if he tried to ride away.

awesme

Jun 4, 2014, 10:14 AM

Now to see if SAPS with this evidence can actually catch and prosecute these guys.

 

G

Stretch

Jun 4, 2014, 10:19 AM

I wonder if Nick would have paid out under those circumstances?!

 

we should tweet hollard and ask them :whistling:

ChunkyMonkey

Jun 4, 2014, 10:27 AM

Yepp...

Definitely something wrong with his eyes... ... ...

 

Hijacker.pdf

DJR

Jun 4, 2014, 10:31 AM

Good work staying calm and getting out alive

Swart Kat

Jun 4, 2014, 10:35 AM

And what would the outcome of this case be? 5 days cleaning streets and a R100 fine......

Blackbeard

Jun 4, 2014, 10:36 AM

we should tweet hollard and ask them :whistling:

 

They would not like to comment on a specific incident out of respect for their client.

 

Edit: ...and would not like to make a general comment as one has to look at the specific circumstances of each specific incident.

Guest notmyname

Jun 4, 2014, 10:37 AM

Jinne. Skomgat tikkoppe

nathrix

Jun 4, 2014, 10:41 AM

Hahaha that's funny :clap:

 

"The thing this armed robber didn’t take into account, is that every South African cyclist has a GoPro camera permanently mounted on their pip from birth.

 

Read more: http://www.2oceansvibe.com/2014/06/04/local-mountain-bike-gunpoint-robbery-caught-on-gopro-video/#ixzz33fLCW3la"

Kranky

Jun 4, 2014, 10:42 AM

Mmmm ... Glad he's ok, those tikkoppe obviously had no clue what'swhat.

 

Rider had a very good chance to ride away right at the start.

Had a very, very clear shot for a left hook as the tikkop grabbed his handlebar with his gun hand, the TK in white was far enough away to not pose an immediate threat ... but I see he was armed as well.

 

I think the rider did just the right thing. It's only a bike.

KENDA

Jun 4, 2014, 10:44 AM

Great video footage..... Shows you how quickly things can happen. The element of surprise always wins.... Even if the rider was armed, he didn't stand a chance.

MaXiMuM

Jun 4, 2014, 10:50 AM

Sjoe, well done for the calmness of the whole incident!! Must say that was scary!

 

I must say that these dash cams and now helmet cams are starting to interest me.

Capricorn

Jun 4, 2014, 10:50 AM

i hope they catch all FOUR of them. at 0:57, there's clearly some one in a hoodie sporting a very long stick parked off along the trail the gunman sent the rider along. He is either a perp, or the perfect witness.

backtrail

Jun 4, 2014, 10:52 AM

Scum! I see now why some of my cycling buddies carry firearms and are trained to use them.

@ndy

Jun 4, 2014, 10:54 AM

I live 5 km's from that trail and I never go to that part alone. I have heard first hand of at two bike jackings there one happened just before I arrived on the scene and i'm pretty certain there has been more than that. Lately I have heard about wires being strung across the trails also. In my opinion there isn't enough being done to warn people how dangerous this spot is. The staff at the lodge just let everyone through who is on their own even though the rules state not to do so.

Eugene Oppelt

Jun 4, 2014, 10:58 AM

All three assailants were caught following this

 

Brilliant footage

Brilliant outcome

 

Glad the rider is okay

Materials things are nothing, can be replaced in a heartbeat (pun intended)

Roneblack46

Jun 4, 2014, 10:58 AM

Great video footage..... Shows you how quickly things can happen. The element of surprise always wins.... Even if the rider was armed, he didn't stand a chance.

 

I disagree with you there. I ride armed and I would have reacted as follows: the perp came from the right, running across an open piece of veld. Immediately you would have assessed his intention and see that he was angling to get in front to cut you off. at that stage i would have stopped as quickly as possible and dumped the bike (i estimate the distance then to be 10-15m between us) and at the same time backing away, still facing the perp. The perp will focus first on the bike lying down and not on the rider backing away. This will be an oppurtune time to draw and engage.

 

In the footage the perp almost drops the pistol when trying to get a proper grip on it. I would back myself in THIS scenario to be able to stop this.

 

I must add I have practiced drawing from concealed in riding gear and can draw and fire within 2-3 seconds. I do club shoots twice a week at least. Remember each scenario will differ and may require a different action of engagement. my 2c...

Sepia

Jun 4, 2014, 11:00 AM

Now to see if SAPS with this evidence can actually catch and prosecute these guys.

 

G

Good point. What more do they need? Useless sods!

VeloRacer

Jun 4, 2014, 11:04 AM

Anyone know Malcolm Fox personally?

Can you PM me his contact details pls.

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