A watch dealer who was put in a chokehold during a robbery at his store in west London has been found dead under non-suspicious circumstances. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon at a shop on Kew Road in Richmond.
Robbery Details: Two men targeted the store, making off with a number of high-value watches. The incident was captured on CCTV, which shows the staff member being assaulted after initially being asked to fix a timepiece for the robbers.
Tragic Outcome: The victim, a man in his 20s from Surrey, died hours later in Shepperton. His next of kin have been informed, according to a statement by the Metropolitan Police. The investigation into the robbery remains with the Met’s Flying Squad, while the circumstances surrounding the victim’s death are being probed by colleagues in the neighbouring force.
Police Statement: A police spokesman clarified that the death is not being considered a homicide at this stage. “We are aware of the death of a man in Surrey on Sunday, May 26,” the spokesman said. “This is being investigated by officers from Surrey Police and is not being treated as suspicious at this time. We ask that the privacy of his family is respected during this difficult period.”
Robbers’ Actions: The two robbers fled the scene with a large haul of watches, making their escape during the raid at 14:50. Footage from the incident shows one suspect putting the employee in a headlock while the other ransacks the shop. The dealer was held by both arms and violently pushed across the room, ending up in a corner. Helplessly, he watched as one of the robbers stuffed watches into a bag.
Suspects’ Descriptions: The first suspect wore a grey hoodie and ripped blue jeans. The second, with a distinctive neck tattoo, had blue jeans, a blue and white T-shirt, and sunglasses perched on his head.
Shepperton Incident: On Sunday, May 26, officers from Surrey Police were called to a location in Shepperton shortly after 20:15 following a report of safety concern. The man in his 20s was pronounced dead at the scene. While inquiries are ongoing, his death is not currently considered suspicious.
