A photo of an off-duty Swedish police officer taking down a pickpocket in a public park has gone viral, with more than 10,000 likes on Instagram in less than 24 hours.

The pickpocket messed with the wrong cop. Photo: Instagram/Mikaela KellnerThe pickpocket messed with the wrong cop. Photo: Instagram/Mikaela Kellner

Mikaela Kellner was sunbathing in a public park in Stockholm when a man pretending to sell magazines approached her and her group of friends, stealing one of their mobile phones in the process.

Ms Kellner, a crossfit and power-lifting enthusiast with 11 years of police experience, quickly gave chase, tackled and pinned the culprit to the ground. The man was arrested and taken away by on-duty officers wearing more traditional police outfits. 

"'I would have stepped in no matter what my outfit. Had I been naked I would also have intervened," Ms Kellner said. "He realised quite quickly that it wasn't worth struggling."

 

 

Fitness enthusiast Ms Kellner said she immediately suspected the man who turned out to be a pickpocket. Photo: Instagram/Mikaela KellnerFitness enthusiast Ms Kellner said she immediately suspected the man who turned out to be a pickpocket. Photo: Instagram/Mikaela Kellner

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