TikTok Prankster Convicted of Theft After Snatching Phone While Riding E-bike
TikTok prankster Mizzy, born Bacari-Bronze O’Garro, stole a woman’s phone while riding a Lime e-bike in London, then tried to get rid of the device in a bush.
Mizzy, whose real name is Bacari-Bronze O’Garro, was riding a green Lime e-bike on June 15, 2022 when he grabbed the phone from a woman’s hand in central London, as revealed in Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court.
Dressed in a black jacket and black trousers, the social media star—known for his controversial “pranks”—was found guilty of theft.
According to prosecutor Edward Kalber, O’Garro, then 17 years old, was approached by police officers for unrelated reasons immediately after taking the phone. He then fled, tossing the device over a fence into bushes before being forced off the bike by an officer, after which he ran away on foot.
Subsequently, he was arrested and handcuffed by the police who discovered him hiding behind a nearby tree.
During the hearing, magistrate Fros Kyriacou discredited O’Garro’s claim that a friend had given him the phone, as his fingerprints were found on it. She also dismissed his explanation that he ran away out of fear of the police.
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Ruby Hewitt was walking down Highbury New Park in Islington at approximately 1 p.m. on June 15, 2022 when a man on a bike in a blue tracksuit with a black and white scarf on his head snatched her iPhone 13 Pro Max, valued at around £1,000, from her as she was occupied texting on the device.
Although Ms. Hewitt only saw the man’s back as he rode off, she identified him as black because she could see the underside of his arms and remember his attire.
The incident lasted about ten seconds, and Ms. Hewitt described feeling stressed, anxious, and fearful for her safety.
Three plainclothes Metropolitan Police officers, who did not witness the theft, became suspicious of O’Garro’s behavior as he was cycling erratically on and off the road, moving onto the sidewalk, as detailed by police officer David Clifford in court.
Clifford mentioned that the area was known for being a hotbed of phone snatching and robberies.
O’Garro, 19, claimed in court that a friend had given him the phone during the cycling trip and that he was not involved in the initial theft. He justified discarding the device, fleeing from the officers, and refusing to answer questions in a later police interview by citing his fear of law enforcement.
He expressed, “Sometimes I don’t feel comfortable talking to the police because of the negative stereotypes they have in the area.”
Defense attorney Keren Weekes argued that there was insufficient evidence to link O’Garro to the phone snatching incident.
O’Garro was released on unconditional bail pending sentencing at the same court on June 13.
PA Media contributed to this report.
