Wouldn’t black spray paint be more effective... and I wouldn’t punch them... I would just take off their helmets and face masks. Then all the cameras can identify them. That’s more problematic for them than getting beat up.
☝️Modern Problems require Modern Solutions 😬
Definitely take their gear if you can. It's expensive and they usually don't have a lot of money, if you take their gear they have to spend time reacquiring the stuff or they give up and go home.