Man Who Struck 'Karate Kid' Pose Prior To Alleged Gas Station Robbery Identified

A South Carolina man caught on camera striking a pose from “The Karate Kid” before allegedly robbing a purse at a local BP gas station has been identified by local police.

“The ‘Karate Kid Bandit’ has been identified as Bill Daddezio of Gaston. He is wanted for Petty Larceny for stealing a purse and Driving Under Suspension,” the Swansea Police Department wrote on Facebook Thursday evening. The department also included a few humorous hashtags to the end of their post, including #MrMiyagiWouldntApprove and #DontBeNinjaingPeopleThatDontNeedNinjaing.

Before that, the department posted photos of the incident on the social media platform showing the suspect holding the martial arts stance that Mr. Miyagi taught Daniel LaRusso in the 1984 movie. Authorities said the man, who was at that point unidentified, stole a pocketbook from a car on Saturday.

Police said in text accompanying the photos that this appeared to be Daddezio’s “unique ritual.” The first post has been shared 1,200 times as of Friday morning.

Daddezio’s bungled Crane Style was reminiscent of another crime-related martial arts display at a Norwood, Mass. gas station last July.

A robber trying to rob the Mobil station got much more than he bargained for when cashier and martial arts student Ebrahim Gawargi leapt into action, Boston 25 News reported at the time. After pounding the would-be thief, Gawargi put him in a sleeper hold until cops arrived on the scene.

[Photo: Swansea Police Department/Facebook]