Latest news with #RolexRippers
Hindustan Times
10-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Man stabbed to death in London's luxury district amid growing ‘Rolex Ripper' fears
A masked attacker stabbed a man to death in London's exclusive Knightsbridge area this week, in what appears to be the latest in a disturbing wave of violent watch thefts attributed to so-called 'Rolex Rippers", The National reported. The thieves, often masked and riding bikes or scooters, are known for targeting people wearing high-end watches such as Rolexes.(Representational) The thieves, often masked and riding bikes or scooters, are known for targeting people wearing high-end watches such as Rolexes. This latest attack, which took place around 9 PM near a luxury department store and a five-star hotel, has raised further alarm about the growing boldness of these criminals. The victim, a 24-year-old man, was reportedly with his partner when he was attacked. According to staff at a nearby restaurant, the suspect was wearing a balaclava, consistent with the disguises often worn by Rolex Rippers to hide their identity. Police confirmed they were called at 9.24 PM on July 9 and found the victim critically injured on Seville Street. Emergency services, including London's Air Ambulance, responded to the scene, but the man was pronounced dead shortly after. No arrests have been made so far. Mortada Ahmed, who was staying at the hotel near the scene, told The National that the city feels increasingly unsafe. He said he avoids walking on the streets altogether, opting for cars instead, and added that the situation is worsening not just in London but in cities like Paris as well. Superintendent Owen Renowden, leading the investigation, said detectives are working quickly to piece together what happened. While robbery is a possible motive, he noted that police are keeping an open mind as they explore all potential angles. He added that extra officers would be deployed in the area to reassure residents and answer concerns. The incident underscores growing fears about violent street crimes in some of London's wealthiest neighbourhoods, where luxury goods are making people targets in broad daylight
The National
10-07-2025
- The National
Man stabbed to death outside London's Harvey Nichols
A murder investigation has been launched after a man was killed in a street attack in one of the most upmarket parts of London. The victim, in his 20s, was stabbed to death near Harvey Nichols department store and the five-star Park Tower Club hotel. The hotel is home to the Nusr-Et Steakhouse operated by the celebrity chef Salt Bae. Reports suggest the man was attacked by a watch thief. London has gained a reputation for ' Rolex Rippers ' on bikes or scooters targeting areas such as Knightsbridge and Mayfair by working with 'spotters' on the lookout for people wearing expensive watches. A police spokesman said: 'At 21.24 on Wednesday July 9 officers, the London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance responded to reports of a stabbing on Seville Street, Knightsbridge. "Officers attended the scene and found a 24-year-old man who had been stabbed. "No arrests have been made at this early stage and a crime scene will be in place for some time while officers investigate." Superintendent Owen Renowden, who leads policing in Kensington and Chelsea, said: 'Our thoughts are with the victim's loved ones following the shocking events that took place last night. 'Detectives from the Specialist Crime Command, supported by local officers, are working at pace to establish the circumstances of what happened. 'We are aware of reports that this incident was a robbery. Although this is an active line of enquiry, we are keeping an open mind about all possible motives and the exact circumstances are still to be determined. 'We understand the impact this incident will have on the local community and you will see extra officers in the area to help answer any questions or concerns. '
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Algerian Rolex rippers who targeted undercover police posing as rich couple for their designer watches are jailed for total of five years
Two 'Rolex rippers' have been jailed for a total of five years after targeting undercover police officers who were posing as a wealthy couple bearing fake designer watches. CCTV footage showed how Algerian national Yakob Harket, 21, grabbed a replica Patek Philippe rose gold aquanaut watch from the female officer's wrist in Mayfair, west London. He has now admitted robbery, alongside fellow defendant Mohamed Naas, 35, who was convicted of robbery by a jury after a three-day trial. The police officers, who cannot be named, had donned expensive clothes and accessories to act as bait on October 10 last year. They were seen tackling Harket while another male officer wearing a suit ran over and slips while wrestling with the robber. Harket was filmed running away as a team of undercover officers arrested two of his associates on the other side of the street. Harket was arrested shortly afterwards and admitted robbery at Southwark Crown Court. Yanis Amri, 37, and Adel Mohamdi, 31, have now been convicted in their absence after they absconded. Arrest warrants were issued for the pair earlier this year. The crown court judge Mr Recorder Jacques Algazy KC told Harket and Naas, who were assisted in the dock by an Arabic interpreter, how their offence had been a 'highly organised crime involving stealing to order'. He added: 'This was motivated by greed, not need.' Harket was jailed for two years after the judge took into account his guilty plea, while fellow Algerian Naas was jailed for three years. The pair are set to be released on licence after serving only half their sentences. Henry Laidlaw, prosecuting, described how the undercover officers referred to as A and B had been 'tasked with walking around while posing as a wealthy couple'. He told the court: 'Each were wearing expensive watches. Officer B (male) was wearing a Rolex Sky Dealer watch, worth £40,000. 'Officer A (female) was wearing a replica Patek Philippe rose gold aquanaut watch. The real version had a value of approximately £70,000.' Jurors were shown several clips showing the officers walking from Berkeley Square to Hay's Mews on the evening of October 10. Naas, Amri and Mohamdi had followed the couple relaying information to Harket - and moments later Harket was seen reaching forward to grab Officer A's wrist. Mr Laidlaw told the court: 'He ripped the Patek Philippe watch off her wrist but dropped it, so it was recovered. 'You will have seen there, there were a large number of plain clothes officers who sprang into action. Mohamadi and Naas were arrested right next to the offence.' Harket and Amri were arrested in the area minutes later. Naas told police he had woken up at a friend's house in Edgware Road, central London, before having lunch and going to Tottenham Court road for cigarettes and then meeting Mohamdi for coffee and they ended up in Shepherd's Market in Mayfair. The prosecutor Mr Laidlaw said: 'Mr Naas said the robbery happened right in front of him. He said he knew Harket but they had never had a conversation. 'The prosecution's case, as evidenced by the phone, is he knew Harket well and had a lot of communication in the months leading up to the robbery. 'Phones were downloaded and a number of internet searches had been made by Naas on 9 October for Richard Mille watches.' Pictured left to right: Yanis Amri and Adel Mohamdi, convicted in their absence He added that Naas was 'doing his homework' and one of the searches related to a Rafael Nadal Richard Mille watch worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. Mr Laidlaw added: 'Mr Naas did exactly what he was required to do, make sure they were under observation at all times. 'It is the prosecution's case that Naas was an essential cog in a machine and played a knowing and willing part in the robbery. 'There was a degree of targeting of vulnerable individuals - they targeted the female officer. There was very significant force used. 'The officer was clearly pulled to the ground and the watch was yanked from her wrist.' Sasha Queffurus, defending Harket, told the court he had only recently come to the UK looking for work while describing how his mother had 'very sadly' died from cancer in Algeria 'and he didn't have the opportunity to say goodbye to her'. She added of Harket: 'He is ashamed by what he has done.' Naas denied but was convicted of robbery, Mohamdi and Amri were convicted of robbery in their absence while Harket admitted the offence. Mayfair now has the highest rate for watch robberies in Europe. In April another Algerian, 28-year-old Anis Benemri, was jailed for 32 months for robbing tourist Karl Christian Septien of his £250,000 'Bubba Watson' watch in front of his children outside the Novikov Restaurant on Berkeley Street. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: 'Tackling violent crime is one of the Met's priorities and we are determined to reduce the number of robberies. 'Uniform and plain clothes officers proactively patrol robbery hotspots to identify offences taking place, but more importantly to help prevent and deter offenders from committing robberies in the first place.'
The Irish Sun
09-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Moment brazen ‘Rolex Ripper' gang snared after trying to mug undercover cops in botched robbery – as they're jailed
THIS is the moment a gang of brazen "Rolex Rippers" were snared while trying to mug undercover cops in a botched robbery. Yakob Harket, 21, was filmed walking behind the two officers who were posing as a wealthy couple as they walked through Mayfair. Advertisement 6 CCTV showed Yakob Harket approaching the undercover police from behind Credit: Central News 6 A scuffle broke out as he tried to grab a watch from one of them Credit: Central News 6 He was later taken down by a group of plain clothed officers Credit: Central News CCTV showed him pouncing on the pair from behind before reaching out to snatch an exposed watch from the female cop's wrist. Both officers then chased Harket down with two other cops before tackling him to the ground. More officers then rushed in on bikes as they discovered another three suspected accomplices lurking nearby. Harket and another man, Mohamed Naas, 34, were arrested shortly afterwards. Advertisement Read more news The pair have now been jailed for a total of five years after they were convicted of robbery. Mr Recorder Jacques Algazy KC, told Harket and Naas, assisted in the dock by an Arabic interpreter: "This was highly organised crime involving stealing to order. "This was motivated by greed, not need." Harket was jailed for two years after the judge took into account his guilty plea while Naas was jailed for three years. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Exclusive Exclusive They were accused of being a part of a "Rolex ripper" gang who target wealthy people and steal their jewellery. Officers launched the sting operation after carrying out similar undercover missions across London. The cops posed as a rich couple with posh clothes and expensive replica jewellery to lure the gang. The male officer was wearing a £40,000 Rolex Sky Dealer watch, while the female cop had a replica Patek Philippe Rose Gold watch. Advertisement Jurors were shown several clips of the officers walking from Berkeley Square to Hays Mews on the evening of October 10 last year. Harket managed to rip the replica Patek Philippe, which would be worth £70,000, from the female officer's watch but dropped it in the chase . Adel Mohamdi, 31, and Yanis Amri, 37, had also followed the couple but managed to flee - with a warrant still out for their arrest. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: "Tackling violent crime is one of the Met's priorities and we are determined to reduce the number of robberies. Advertisement "Uniform and plain clothes officers proactively patrol robbery hotspots to identify offences taking place, but more importantly to help prevent and deter offenders from committing robberies in the first place." 6 Harket momentarily evaded the cops but he was chased away and caught minutes later Credit: Central News 6 He has now been jailed for his role in the gang Credit: Central News 6 Mohamed Naas was also locked up Credit: Central News Advertisement
The Sun
09-07-2025
- The Sun
Moment brazen ‘Rolex Ripper' gang snared after trying to mug undercover cops in botched robbery – as they're jailed
THIS is the moment a gang of brazen "Rolex Rippers" were snared while trying to mug undercover cops in a botched robbery. Yakob Harket, 21, was filmed walking behind the two officers who were posing as a wealthy couple as they walked through Mayfair. 6 6 6 CCTV showed him pouncing on the pair from behind before reaching out to snatch an exposed watch from the female cop's wrist. Both officers then chased Harket down with two other cops before tackling him to the ground. More officers then rushed in on bikes as they discovered another three suspected accomplices lurking nearby. Harket and another man, Mohamed Naas, 34, were arrested shortly afterwards. The pair have now been jailed for a total of five years after they were convicted of robbery. They were accused of being a part of a "Rolex ripper" gang who target wealthy people and steal their jewellery. Officers launched the sting operation after carrying out similar undercover missions across London. The cops posed as a rich couple with posh clothes and expensive replica jewellery to lure the gang. The male officer was wearing a £40,000 Rolex Sky Dealer watch, while the female cop had a replica Patek Philippe Rose Gold watch. Jurors were shown several clips of the officers walking from Berkeley Square to Hays Mews on the evening of October 10 last year. Harket managed to rip the replica Patek Philippe, which would be worth £70,000, from the female officer's watch but dropped it in the chase. Adel Mohamdi, 31, and Yanis Amri, 37, had also followed the couple but managed to flee - with a warrant still out for their arrest. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: "Tackling violent crime is one of the Met's priorities and we are determined to reduce the number of robberies. "Uniform and plain clothes officers proactively patrol robbery hotspots to identify offences taking place, but more importantly to help prevent and deter offenders from committing robberies in the first place." 6 6 6
