Watch dealer put in chokehold during terrifying London robbery dies one day later

28 May 2024 , 09:53

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Watch dealer put in chokehold during terrifying London robbery dies one day later

A watch dealer who was put in a chokehold during a robbery at his jewellery store in Richmond, West London, where thieves made off with high value watches, has died

A watch dealer who was put in a chokehold as he was robbed by two men in his shop has died.

Two men, who were not armed, entered the store in Richmond, West London, and assaulted a member of staff before stealing a quantity of high value watches last Saturday afternoon. Police have now said that the man, from Surrey, who was attacked has died with his next of kin informed. He has been named on social media as Oli with a tribute reading: "Rest in peace Oli. Always had a smile that would brighten the room."

A Met Police spokesperson said: "We are aware of the death of a man in Surrey on Sunday, 26 May. This is being investigated by officers from Surrey Police and is not being treated as suspicious at this time. The man who died was the victim of a robbery at a jewellers in Richmond on Saturday, 25 May.

"We ask that the privacy of his family is respected at this difficult time and moving CCTV footage of the incident involving the victim is not shared on social media."

The victim was put in a chokehold ( Image: the London watch company)

Two men were seen running off after stealing the watches at around 2.50pm last Saturday. During the incident the attackers were seen first sitting on the opposite side of a table to the victim who seemed to be fixing a watch. One man was dressed in blue jeans and a grey hoodie while the other was also in blue jeans while he had on a blue and white t-shirt and sunglasses on the top of his head.

The two attackers pictured in the store ( Image: the London watch company)

The second man who was leaning over the desk then grabs the dealer by both arms and pushes him across the room on his chair into a corner before putting him in a headlock. At the same time his accomplice grabs a load of watches and puts them in a rucksack. The man with the sunglasses kept the man in a chokehold and appeared to be speaking to him during the ordeal. The other attacker took items from the table, opened drawers and raided shelves before the pair ran off.

The Met Police have appealed for anyone who recognises the two men to get in touch. In a statement, the force said: "The incident happened at around 14:50hrs on Saturday, 25 May in Kew Road. Two men, who were not armed, entered the shop and assaulted a member of staff before stealing a quantity of high value watches.

James Smith