5/19/2023 0 Comments Media fire escape whisper valleyLet's wait for him to pop out and we'll get him' One expert said gangs are using people's social media profiles to track their whereabouts before deciding to target them.Ĭhristopher Marinello, founder of Art Recovery International, told the Times: 'Gangs are looking at them and thinking, 'He's staying at this hotel in London and he's got these Hublot watches. They will be sentenced on a date to be fixed. Gunman Campbell, from Hornsey in North London, and getaway driver Ahmed Bana, 25, from Tottenham, admitted conspiracy to commit robbery and possession of an imitation firearm during a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court. The 2004 Olympic silver medallist, 36, was targeted as he and his wife Faryal Makhdoom, 31, left the Sahara Grill restaurant in Leyton, east London, on April 18 last year. 'If they're stolen to order it raises a number of issues there could be street credibility for criminals who take a watch off a famous person's arm and sell it to a collector who is happy to buy stolen timepieces.'Īmong those targeted in similar fashion was former boxer Amir Khan, who had his £70,000 diamond-encrusted taken at gunpoint. He told the publication: 'They can be stolen to order or easily shifted on through the black market - maybe for one tenth or a fifth of their value,' Two of the gang, who are still awaiting sentencing, were found to have photos brazenly posing with their ill-gotten gains.Īlex Bomberg, chairman of security company Intelligent Protection International, told the Times watches like the ones the 'Rolex rippers' were after 'have become portable assets'. The gang were caught by the Met's Flying Squad after a high speed chase forced them to leave behind crucial evidence in their car. ![]() Using machetes and Zombie knives, they terrorised victims in the capital into handing over their valuables. One expert says the trend has become so bad that 'you can't go out to dinner' in parts of the capital and that people should be wary of flaunting their wealth on social media.Ī gang dubbed the 'Rolex Rippers' went on a brutal 18-day crime spree in southwest London over Christmas 2021 and New Year 2022. The wealthy have been targeted, as have celebrities including former boxer Amir Khan, who was robbed at gunpoint leaving a restaurant with his wife in Leyton, east London, in April last year, though there is no evidence this was done to order or by a gang who do it regularly. The culprits then sell these on quickly with some being 'stolen to order' for people happy to buy big brands including Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Richard Mille on the black market. The thugs, aware of the value of these timepieces, are robbing people on the street using knives and guns to pressgang victims into handing over their valuables. ![]() 'Rolex ripper' gangs are stalking celebrities' social media profiles in search of rare and expensive watches before taking them by force.
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