Watch thief jailed after brazen New Year’s Day robbery spree in central London
A man has been locked up for 11 months after snatching luxury watches straight off people’s wrists in busy West End streets. Zajaria Lalouii, 29, with no fixed address, appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, 31 January, where he was found guilty of two counts of robbery. He was ordered to pay a £140 victim surcharge alongside his jail term.
Watch snatch caught on the spot
The daring thefts took place during early hours of New Year’s Day 2019. Officers from Westminster’s Operation Bobcat – a unit cracking down on violent crime – caught Lalouii red-handed on Heddon Street, W1. He was seen grabbing a Burberry watch off a 23-year-old victim’s wrist.
Lalouii used a slick distraction technique, pretending to trip up the victim and wrapping his leg around the man’s legs. While the victim was distracted, he swiftly stole the watch. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
Rolex found on suspected thief
Police arrested Lalouii nearby on suspicion of robbery and found him carrying another stolen timepiece – a Rolex taken hours earlier from a 35-year-old man on Marylebone Lane, W1. PC Andy Marsh from Westminster Borough said:
“While nobody was injured as a result of these thefts, the effects of becoming a victim of robbery run far deeper than a loss of property. I hope that the conviction and sentencing of Lalouii brings a measure of comfort to the victims.”
Justice served for ‘wrist snatcher’
Lalouii’s sentence sends a clear message to crooks targeting London’s nightlife. His 11 months behind bars and victim surcharge hope to deter similar robberies during celebrations and beyond.
