This is the moment a man rams his car into two thieves robbing his nephews in the street and sends them flying through the air.

The incident was filmed in the district of Jabaquara in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo on the night of 12th February.

According to the news site G1, the motorist noticed the two suspects, aged 29 and 26, robbing his nephews in the street and rammed into them with his car.

The State Secretariat for Public Security said the suspects were placed under arrest and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment for their injuries. One of them has since been discharged while the other remains under medical care.

In the CCTV footage, three people, two men and a woman, are seen walking along the street when the suspects approach them on a motorbike.

The thieves get off the motorcycle, apparently armed, search the victims and steal their belongings.

When they get back on the bike, the uncle’s car appears at high speed and rams into the pair, sending them flying through the air.

According to the local authorities, an investigation has been opened for theft, road collision, causing bodily injury, and self-defence.

The uncle’s car was seized and analysed and has since been returned to him.

The investigation is ongoing.

Last year, the city saw a 33.7 percent increase in thefts and robberies compared to the year before.